Hong Kong to present regulatory framework for stablecoins by 2025

As a seasoned crypto investor with a deep understanding of the volatile and rapidly evolving digital asset market, I strongly believe that the proposed regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong is a necessary step towards ensuring the sustainable growth of this emerging sector.


Approximately 100 responses have been received by Hong Kong’s financial regulatory bodies from market players, the large part of whom support setting up a licensing framework for stablecoins.

The Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have made public the outcomes of their consultation on a plan to establish a regulatory framework for entities that issue stablecoins.

Based on a press release published on Wednesday, the large majority of the 108 surveyed individuals expressed their support for establishing regulations for stablecoin issuers. This is due to the growing usage and complexities surrounding virtual assets. Eddie Yue, HKMA’s CEO, emphasized that a regulated environment would foster a healthy ecosystem for stablecoins in Hong Kong, promoting long-term growth and responsibility.

The FSTB and the HKMA have announced they will take into account the feedback received before finalizing their proposed legislation for establishing the new regulatory regime. It is expected that this legislative framework will be submitted to lawmakers for approval by the end of the current year.

In their current state, regulations for stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong are not clearly defined. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) serves as the primary regulatory body for stablecoins and cryptocurrencies in the region. With a new proposal, stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong would need to secure a license. It’s unclear if they will be permitted to store reserve assets with banks based in Hong Kong or other countries.

Currently, China is rapidly expanding the trial of its central bank digital currency, referred to as the digital yuan or e-CNY, within shops in Hong Kong. According to crypto.news, this initiative is exclusively available to Hong Kong residents who can add up to 10,000 CNY (around $1,380) to their digital wallets through 17 participating banks in Hong Kong, such as Standard Chartered Bank, ZA Bank, and DBS Bank.

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2024-07-17 16:50