Hong Kong Issues First Stablecoin Licenses To Banks

• HKMA approved HSBC and Anchorpoint as first stablecoin issuers, selecting firms with strong financial and risk expertise.
• New ordinance sets strict rules on reserves, transparency, and redemption, allowing only licensed stablecoin issuance.
• Licenses enable HKD-pegged stablecoins and cross-border payments, with rollout expected in the coming months.

Hong Kong’s regulator issued its first stablecoin licenses on April 10, approving HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial after reviewing 36 applications. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority granted the licenses under the Stablecoins Ordinance to enable Hong Kong dollar-pegged issuance. The move allows cross-border payments as authorities push for a regulated framework linking traditional finance with digital assets.

Banks Selected for Financial and Risk Expertise

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and Anchorpoint Financial received the initial approvals. Anchorpoint operates as a consortium led by Standard Chartered, alongside Animoca Brands and Hong Kong Telecommunications. According to the HKMA, both applicants demonstrated strong financial and risk management experience.

Darryl Chan, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said the firms align with stablecoin objectives. He noted their background supports bridging traditional and digital finance systems. Notably, both institutions already issue Hong Kong dollar banknotes, a role dating back decades.

Ordinance Sets Rules for Issuance and Operations

The approvals follow the Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025. The framework defines requirements for reserves, transparency, redemption rights, and risk controls. Under these rules, only licensed entities can issue stablecoins within Hong Kong.

According to the HKMA, the licenses took immediate effect upon approval. However, both firms plan to complete operational preparations before launch. The South China Morning Post reported that services could begin within the next few months.

Focus Shifts to Payments and Rollout Plans

The licenses allow issuance of stablecoins pegged to the Hong Kong dollar. They also permit cross-border payment activities tied to digital assets. According to business plans, both entities aim to deploy payment-focused use cases first.

Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the HKMA, described the development as a key milestone. He said the initiative targets inefficiencies in financial and economic activities. Meanwhile, the regulator indicated that additional licenses may follow under the same framework.

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