Cointime

Download App
iOS & Android

Hong Kong Proposes Licensing Regime for Stablecoin Issuers

  • Wechat scan to share

Hong Kong's financial regulators have released proposals for a licensing regime and regulatory sandbox to supervise stablecoin issuers and provide guidance on compliance. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) are seeking feedback on the proposals until Feb. 29. The regime will require issuers who meet certain conditions to obtain a license from the HKMA, and firms looking to issue a fiat-referenced stablecoin in Hong Kong or market stablecoins to the Hong Kong public will need a license to operate. The move is part of Hong Kong's efforts to position itself as a regional crypto hub and follows the implementation of a licensing regime for crypto service providers in June.

Comments

All Comments

Recommended for you

  • Dennis Porter: At least 13 states are developing “strategic bitcoin reserve” legislation

    Satoshi Action Fund (SAF) co-founder and CEO Dennis Porter stated in a post on X platform that it can be confirmed that at least 13 states are drafting legislation for "strategic bitcoin reserves". January will be a record-breaking month for bitcoin policy.
  • Satoshi Act Fund Co-founder: Another "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve" bill will be launched next week

    Dennis Porter, co-founder and CEO of the Bitcoin advocacy organization Satoshi Act Fund, announced on X platform that the team will launch another "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve" bill next week.
  • Hong Kong's Stablecoin Bill is gazetted and is expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council for first reading on December 18

    On December 6th, according to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government News Bulletin, Hong Kong today published the "Stablecoin Regulation Bill" in the constitutional report to introduce a regulatory system for fiat currency stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong. The "Bill" aims to improve the regulatory framework for virtual asset activities to address the potential risks posed by fiat currency stablecoins to financial stability, ensure that users have sufficient protection, and leverage the benefits of virtual assets and related technologies. Under the proposed licensing system, anyone engaging in any of the following activities must first obtain a license from the Commissioner of Financial Management:
  • Trump: David Sacks will work to establish a legal framework for encryption to ensure that the encryption industry thrives in the United States

    Trump stated in his appointment letter to David Sacks that Sacks will be dedicated to establishing a legal framework that provides clarity to the cryptocurrency industry and enables it to flourish in the United States.
  • Australia’s financial regulator proposes new crypto rules, emphasizing risks and mitigation measures

     Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released a consultation paper suggesting updates to its regulatory guidelines for digital assets, with a focus on compliance requirements under the Corporations Act. The revisions to Information Sheet 225 (INFO 225) include 13 worked examples aimed at clarifying when digital assets qualify as financial products, such as stablecoins, packaged tokens, and staking services. In these examples, ASIC outlines scenarios involving exchange tokens, interest-bearing stablecoins, and tokenized assets such as concert tickets. The draft guidance proposes that classification depends on "inherent rights, interests, expectations, and product features that are offered together with the token." ASIC encourages cryptocurrency companies to apply for an Australian Financial Services License, providing them with a safe harbor from legal action.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin officially signs digital currency tax law

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law regulating the taxation of digital currencies. According to the law, digital currencies are recognized as property. This also applies to currencies used for foreign trade payments within the experimental legal framework (EPR) in the field of digital innovation. Mining and sales of digital currencies are exempt from value-added tax. Operators of mining infrastructure must report to the tax authorities issuing cryptocurrencies for using their services. Failure to submit such information on time may result in a fine of 40,000 rubles. In terms of personal income tax, digital currencies obtained through mining will be classified as physical income (usually used when goods or services are paid for instead of currency). The value of the income currency will be determined based on market quotes. Such income will be subject to progressive taxation, taking into account tax deductions for mining costs. At the same time, the acquisition, sale or other circulation of digital currencies will be subject to two-stage personal income tax rates (13% for income up to 2.4 million rubles, and 15% for income exceeding this amount). They will be included in the same tax base as securities, bank deposits, and other sources of transaction income. As for corporate income tax, digital currency mining will be subject to the standard tax rate (25% from 2025 onwards).
  • Cointime July 27th News Express

    1. As of July 25, BlackRock IBIT held more than 338,000 bitcoins, an increase of more than 1,092 bitcoins from the previous day.
  • Hong Kong Legislative Council Member Tam Yue-heng: Accelerate the issuance and trading of stablecoins that match the characteristics of the linked exchange rate system

    Tan Yueheng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Legislative Council, published an article entitled "Consolidating the Status of Financial Center and Sharing the Dividend of Deepening Reform". In it, he pointed out that in the field of digital finance, the SAR government must continue to develop digital finance and qualified virtual products, explore new beneficial financial formats, and promote the new productive forces of the financial industry. Hong Kong must promote the participation of financial technology companies in the stable coin sandbox mechanism, accelerate the issuance and trading of stable coins with the characteristics of matching linked exchange rate system, expand the testing scope and landing scenarios of digital RMB as a cross-border payment tool, and focus on developing products that are linked to virtual assets and underlying real assets, transforming art, real estate, equity, and carbon emissions into digital tokens through blockchain technology.
  • Hong Kong's financial industry may study launching stablecoin trading desks and institutional custody services

    Hong Kong Monetary Authority recently announced the list of participants in the stablecoin issuer sandbox, including JD Coin Chain, Circle Coin Innovation, Standard Chartered Bank, Anni Group, Hong Kong Telecom and other institutions. Research reports released by Zeng Shengjun, a researcher at the Greater Bay Area Financial Research Institute of the Shenzhen Branch of Bank of China, and Guan Zhenqiu, a researcher at the Hong Kong Financial Research Institute of Bank of China, analyzed that the Hong Kong dollar stablecoin can improve the efficiency and inclusiveness of the Hong Kong financial system. Its stability, free convertibility, high security, high open source and cross-border mobility can provide support for a wider range of financial innovations.
  • Hong Kong Legislative Council Member: The issuance and trading system of tokenized bond-related products can be shared with the mainland

    Hong Kong Legislative Council member Chan Chun-ying stated that the new productivity of Hong Kong's financial industry is currently mainly developed around digital and green themes. Regarding virtual assets, Hong Kong regulatory agencies should establish relevant trading platforms, stablecoin issuances, testing and operational mechanisms, capture digital development trends, and share relevant regulatory experience with the mainland. At the same time, Hong Kong's tokenized bond development is leading the world, and relevant product issuances, trading systems can be shared with the mainland or guide more mainland companies to issue, together meeting international market demand.