Hong Kong's securities regulator banned two brokers from dealing with or processing certain assets held in a client account over suspicions that the assets are proceeds of market manipulation or fraud.

The Securities and Futures Commission said Dec. 16 that it issued restriction notices to Interactive Brokers LLC and Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd. to stop them from dealing with certain assets held in a client account.

The SFC suspects the funds in the account are from market manipulation or fraud conducted in conjunction with unauthorized internet trades in hacked securities accounts at other firms between Oct. 7, 2015, and Oct. 15, 2015.

The regulator is not investigating the two brokers, though its investigation into the client account is continuing.