Stablecoins steady as HKMA lists no approvals

No Hong Kong stablecoin issuer licences for HSBC, Standard Chartered, OSL

Claims that hong kong will issue stablecoin licences to HSBC, standard chartered, and OSL are not supported by official records. According to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) public register, none of these firms is licensed as a stablecoin issuer at the time of writing.

The framework distinguishes interest or applications from approvals. The authority’s regime covers issuance in Hong Kong and HKD‑pegged coins sold locally even if issued offshore, and only a handful of licences are expected initially.

Why this matters: HKMA’s rigorous licensing regime and limited initial approvals

This matters because a rigorous, prudential screening aims to protect consumers and market integrity. High approval thresholds and limited initial licences shape competitive dynamics and timelines for payments and tokenized‑asset use cases.

One visible market signal is Anchorpoint Financial, a joint venture backed by Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT; its plans indicate intent, not approval. “enhance payment efficiency, streamline transactions, and provide greater security and transparency,” said Susanna Hui, Group Managing Director at HKT.

Immediate impact: how to verify status and interpret applicant signals

Status can be verified via the public register: a listed name indicates formal authorisation; absence indicates no licence yet. Headlines, partnership announcements and product pilots do not confer regulatory approval.

For HSBC, Standard Chartered and OSL, the current absence on the register means no stablecoin issuer licence has been granted. Market expectations should be treated cautiously until entries appear.

How Hong Kong’s stablecoin licensing works and verification steps

Public register and what “licensed” actually means

Under the regime, “licensed” signals that an issuer has cleared prudential and operational assessments to issue qualifying stablecoins in or marketed to Hong Kong. HKD‑pegged coins issued abroad but promoted locally fall within scope.

Key criteria, application stages, and realistic timelines

As reported by the South China Morning post, the first batch is targeted for early next year, and applicants must present well‑developed business plans alongside robust risk management and technical infrastructure. The process moves from interest to application to approval under a high bar.

FAQ about Hong Kong stablecoin issuer licence

Did HSBC receive a stablecoin issuer licence in Hong Kong?

No. The public register shows no HSBC stablecoin‑issuer licence at this time.

Is Standard Chartered’s Anchorpoint JV already licensed to issue an HKD-pegged stablecoin?

No. Anchorpoint has signalled intent, but it does not appear on the public register of licensed stablecoin issuers.