Hong Kong Grants First Stablecoin Issuer Licences Under New Regulatory Regime
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has granted stablecoin issuer licences to Anchorpoint Financial Limited and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited under the city’s Stablecoins Ordinance. Announced on 10 April 2026, the move establishes the first licensed framework for stablecoin issuance in Hong Kong and forms part of broader efforts to develop a regulated digital asset ecosystem while maintaining financial stability and consumer protection.
According to the official announcement from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the licences take effect immediately. Both organisations plan to complete operational preparations and launch their stablecoin services in the coming months.
Regulatory framework for stablecoin issuance
The licensing regime is designed to provide regulatory clarity for digital asset activities in Hong Kong. By setting requirements for governance, risk management, and consumer protection, the framework aims to ensure stablecoin issuers can operate within a structured and accountable environment.
The initiative aligns with Hong Kong’s wider strategy to support financial innovation while safeguarding market integrity. Recent regional initiatives, including the Hong Kong–Shenzhen fintech collaboration framework, similarly highlight the city’s efforts to strengthen its role as a digital finance hub.
“The granting of stablecoin issuer licences is an important milestone for the development of digital assets in Hong Kong. The regulatory regime provides an orderly operating environment for stablecoin issuers to apply innovative technologies while ensuring robust user protection and effective risk management, which will foster the development of a healthy, responsible, and sustainable stablecoin ecosystem. We look forward to the issuers launching business according to their plans, exploring growth opportunities while properly managing risks. We hope their promotion of regulated stablecoins will address pain points in financial and economic activities, create values for both individuals and businesses, and support the healthy development of digital assets in Hong Kong.” — Eddie Yue, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Public register and safeguards for users
The HKMA maintains a public Register of Licensed Stablecoin Issuers, which lists authorised entities and key details including business addresses and contact information. The register is intended to improve transparency and help the public verify legitimate operators.
Authorities have also advised residents and businesses to remain vigilant against scams that falsely claim association with licensed issuers. Users are encouraged to confirm the authenticity of service providers through the HKMA register and to access stablecoin services only through regulated channels.
Supporting Hong Kong’s broader digital finance ecosystem
The licensing announcement forms part of a wider push to integrate emerging financial technologies into Hong Kong’s regulatory and innovation landscape. Parallel initiatives across the territory, such as programmes advancing blockchain and artificial intelligence research, demonstrate growing institutional support for next-generation financial infrastructure.
By introducing regulated stablecoin issuance, authorities aim to enable experimentation with digital payment instruments while maintaining oversight of financial risks. The approach reflects a policy emphasis on responsible innovation, ensuring new technologies can be deployed in ways that support economic activity while protecting consumers and the stability of the financial system.
