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CryptoMedium•14 April 2026•

1 min read

Hong Kong Issues First Stablecoin Licenses to HSBC and Standard Chartered

A glowing blue digital whale with circuit patterns and binary code floats above a network grid, with a large purple hexagon in an orange background.

Key Facts

1The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has begun issuing its first stablecoin issuer licenses.

2HSBC and a Standard Chartered-led venture are among the first approved issuers under the new framework.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has officially launched its regulatory framework for stablecoins by issuing the first set of issuer licenses. Major financial institutions, including HSBC and a venture led by Standard Chartered, are among the first to receive approval under this new regime. This initiative aims to transition stablecoins from speculative crypto settlement tools into a robust, on-chain foreign exchange and collateral ecosystem. With over 90% of the $300 billion stablecoin market currently pegged to the US Dollar or Treasuries, Hong Kong's move seeks to capture a significant share of this global liquidity. Analysts suggest this integration of digital assets into the traditional banking system positions Asia as a frontrunner in blockchain-native liquidity markets. The move is expected to enhance the efficiency of HKD liquidity and streamline cross-border trade settlements through institutional-grade digital assets.