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Hong Kong

Stablecoins Ordinance (Cap. 656)

EnforcedRegulator(s): Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)Next review: 2026-08-08

Issuance of fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS) in Hong Kong, or HKD-referenced stablecoins anywhere, is a regulated activity requiring an HKMA licence.

Licensing regime in effect since 1 Aug 2025. First licences granted 10 Apr 2026 to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial (Standard Chartered / HKT / Animoca JV) from 36 applications.

📋 Key Requirements

ReservesFull backing with high-quality liquid reserve assets; segregation from issuer assets
RedemptionRedemption at par without unreasonable conditions or fees
CapitalMinimum paid-up capital and ongoing financial resources requirements
AttestationRegular disclosure and independent attestation of reserves; AML/CFT controls emphasized
LicensingHKMA licence mandatory; public register of licensees maintained

📅 Timeline & Upcoming Deadlines

  • 2025-08-01

    Stablecoins Ordinance regulatory regime takes effect

    primary
  • 2025-09-30

    First-round application deadline; 36 formal applications received

    secondary
  • 2026-04-10

    HKMA grants first stablecoin issuer licences (HSBC, Anchorpoint Financial)

    primary
  • 2026-12-31

    HSBC HKD stablecoin launch expected H2 2026; Anchorpoint HKDAP phased rollout from Q2 2026

    secondary

🏛️ Licensed / Approved Issuers

Anchorpoint Financial Limited (StanChart/HKT/Animoca)
2026-04-10

🪙 Aligned Stablecoins on Atlas

No stablecoins from the Atlas directory are currently aligned with this framework.

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