Hong Kong Freezes Stablecoin Rollout, Leaving HSBC, Standard Chartered Waiting

bitcoinistОпубликовано 2026-04-02Обновлено 2026-04-02

Введение

Hong Kong has postponed the issuance of its first batch of stablecoin licenses, delaying approvals for major applicants like HSBC and Standard Chartered. The delay, attributed to money laundering concerns, may lead to stricter KYC regulations. This setback affects 36 applicants and follows mainland China's earlier crackdown on stablecoins due to regulatory and illegal activity risks. Despite initial plans to issue a small number of licenses in March, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has not yet granted any approvals. The article also notes similar regulatory delays in South Korea, while Japan and the U.S. have advanced their stablecoin frameworks. The stablecoin market cap remains strong at $316 billion, a new all-time high. Bitcoin is trading around $68,700, down 4% over the week.

Hong Kong has postponed its first batch of stablecoin licenses amid money laundering concerns that could warrant stricter KYC rules.

Hong Kong Has Delayed Its Initial Batch Of Stablecoin Licenses

As reported by Wu Blockchain, citing coverage from Caixin, Hong Kong has postponed the issuance of its first stablecoin approvals, meaning that applicants would be waiting for longer before they can receive a license.

Hong Kong first passed its stablecoin bill in August 2025, making it so that organizations looking to issue stablecoins in the Chinese city’s jurisdiction will need to acquire approval from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

Following the rollout of the new rules, HKMA started receiving applications from big names like Standard Chartered in its Joint Venture (JV) and HSBC. The first batch of approvals was expected to go out by the end of March, but now April has begun, and no licenses have been handed out at all.

“Hong Kong is concerned that stablecoins may be used for money laundering and may therefore implement stricter KYC regulations,” noted Wu Blockchain. The delay has thrown a wrench in the plans of 36 applicants. Earlier, mainland Chinese regulators cracked down on the sector, stating that fiat-tied cryptocurrencies don’t qualify as legal tender, as they fail to meet regulatory requirements and pose a risk of being used for illegal activities.

Despite the mainland’s stance, however, Hong Kong still moved forward with its stablecoin plans, announcing in February that a “very small number” of issuer licenses would be handed out in March. With that plan not coming to fruition, it now remains to be seen when the HKMA will be able to advance the city’s stablecoin ambitions.

Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea has also seen its stablecoin plans stall, with the Bank of Korea (BoK) arguing for bank-majority stablecoins, while the Financial Services Commission (FCS) advocates for laxer rules.

Meanwhile, Japan took ahead of its neighbors with the launch of its first yen-backed coin last year. The nation could also see its first bank-backed stablecoin this year, with Shinsei Trust and Banking planning on a Q2 2026 launch.

Over in the United States, President Donald Trump signed into law the GENIUS Act last year, providing a formal framework for stablecoins. Overall, this part of the cryptocurrency sector has seen significant global regulatory momentum over the past year, so it’s not surprising to see that its market cap has held up relatively well despite the recent market downturn.

The trend in the stablecoin market cap over the last several years | Source: DefiLlama

As the chart from DefiLlama shows, the market cap of the fiat-tied tokens has mostly moved sideways in recent months, with its value currently sitting at $316 billion, a new all-time high (ATH).

Bitcoin Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $68,700, down over 4% in the last week.

Looks like the price of the coin has gone up a bit over the past day | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

Связанные с этим вопросы

QWhy has Hong Kong postponed the issuance of its first stablecoin licenses?

AHong Kong has postponed the issuance due to concerns that stablecoins may be used for money laundering, which could lead to the implementation of stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

QWhich major financial institutions are among the applicants for stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong?

AMajor applicants include Standard Chartered, through its Joint Venture, and HSBC.

QWhat was the original timeline for issuing the first batch of stablecoin licenses, and what is the current status?

AThe first batch of approvals was expected to be issued by the end of March, but as of the beginning of April, no licenses have been handed out.

QHow does the regulatory stance on stablecoins in mainland China differ from that in Hong Kong?

AMainland Chinese regulators have cracked down on stablecoins, stating they do not qualify as legal tender and pose a risk for illegal activities. In contrast, Hong Kong has moved forward with its own regulatory framework to license stablecoin issuers.

QWhat is the current total market capitalization of stablecoins, according to the article?

AThe current market capitalization of stablecoins is $316 billion, which is a new all-time high (ATH).

Похожее

Will the Next Crypto Bull Run Start with On-Chain Trading of SpaceX?

This article presents a scenario-based forecast for the crypto industry from 2026 to 2029, arguing that the next major cycle will be driven not by technological narratives but by legal access to real-world assets. The author predicts that by mid-2026, pre-IPO perpetual contracts for top private companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic on platforms like Hyperliquid will become the primary gateway for accessing quality assets, as most crypto-native tokens fail to capture real value. The much-hyped AI x Crypto intersection largely fails except for prediction markets, which thrive on betting on AI model supremacy. By 2027, public blockchain foundations are forced to choose between catering to retail speculation or building compliant infrastructure for institutions, with many opting for the latter. Growth in stablecoins and tokenized private credit/equity hits a "triple ceiling" due to regulatory and political uncertainty rather than market demand. The pivotal shift is forecast for 2028. A major liquidation event in pre-IPO perpetuals exposes the structural flaw of synthetic markets lacking a real underlying asset anchor. In response, regulatory changes finally allow the public solicitation of private securities resales to verified accredited investors. This creates a legitimate secondary market for real company equity, which then becomes the core asset class of the new bull market, relegating synthetic perps to a niche role. By 2029, the industry becomes "boring" but foundational. Tokens without claims on real cash flows or assets cease trading. Stablecoin growth is steady but politically capped. Crypto infrastructure fades from view as it gets absorbed into traditional finance backends. The article's central thesis is that the key bottleneck for crypto's next phase is legal and regulatory channels for real asset ownership, not technology.

marsbit5 мин. назад

Will the Next Crypto Bull Run Start with On-Chain Trading of SpaceX?

marsbit5 мин. назад

Kalshi-CFTC Fight In New Mexico Could Shape Prediction Market Rules

A jurisdictional battle between the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the state of New Mexico over the regulation of prediction markets could set national rules for the industry. At issue is who polices platforms like Kalshi, with the CFTC asserting federal oversight and New Mexico arguing state gaming and consumer protection laws apply, especially for contracts resembling wagers on events like elections or sports. The outcome will determine if prediction markets can scale nationally under a clear federal framework or face a fragmented, state-by-state regulatory landscape. This dispute is significant for the crypto-adjacent trading community, which often engages with these speculative event markets. A clearer rulebook could boost mainstream adoption, liquidity, and integration with crypto infrastructure, while a state-led challenge could stifle growth. The case is particularly sensitive for sports-related contracts, where the line between financial markets and gambling blurs. Ultimately, this legal fight will shape whether prediction markets become a scalable national product or remain constrained by jurisdictional conflicts.

bitcoinist1 ч. назад

Kalshi-CFTC Fight In New Mexico Could Shape Prediction Market Rules

bitcoinist1 ч. назад

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

**Summary: The Value Distribution of Stablecoins** The article argues that stablecoins are evolving from mere trading tools into broader channels for dollar access. It divides the stablecoin ecosystem into four layers to analyze how value is distributed: 1. **Issuance Layer:** Mints stablecoins, holds reserve assets, and captures the spread between reserve yield and user costs (e.g., Tether, Circle). This layer currently earns the largest profit margin. 2. **Infrastructure Layer:** Connects stablecoins to the traditional financial system, handling fiat on/off-ramps, banking integration, compliance (KYC/AML), and asset management (e.g., Bridge, BVNK). This is the "unglamorous" but critical work, building the essential bridges between crypto and real-world finance. 3. **Acquiring/Distribution Layer:** Integrates stablecoins into merchant systems, manages payment flows, and provides enterprise financial software (e.g., Stripe, Coinbase). They act as the access point for businesses. 4. **Application Layer:** The end-users and businesses that ultimately use stablecoins for payments, settlements, or as a store of value. They benefit from convenience but have little pricing power. The core thesis is that while the issuance layer currently dominates profits, the often-overlooked **infrastructure layer holds significant long-term potential**. The real challenge and barrier to mass adoption is not the on-chain transfer of stablecoins (which is simple), but the complex "last mile" integration into existing business workflows, banking systems, and regulatory frameworks across different countries. Companies in this layer are currently in a "land grab" phase, investing heavily to build networks, secure bank partnerships, and establish compliance pathways. While their position is currently pressured by the profitable issuers above and distribution platforms below, the article suggests that if stablecoins become a default financial rail for businesses, the infrastructure providers who have done the hard work of integration will ultimately gain strong pricing power and become entrenched, essential players.

marsbit6 ч. назад

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

marsbit6 ч. назад

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins The article argues that stablecoins are evolving from a mere trading tool into a broad "dollar channel." It analyzes the industry's value chain through four layers: 1. **Issuance Layer (e.g., Tether, Circle):** The top layer that mints stablecoins, holds reserve assets, and captures the thickest interest rate spread. 2. **Infrastructure Layer (e.g., Bridge, BVNK):** Connects stablecoins to the traditional financial system, handling critical but complex "dirty work" like fiat on/off-ramps, banking integration, compliance (KYC/AML), and cross-border settlement. 3. **Acquiring/Distribution Layer (e.g., Stripe, Coinbase):** Embeds stablecoins into merchant systems, manages payment flows, and integrates with enterprise software. 4. **Application Layer:** End-users and businesses that ultimately use stablecoins for payments, settlement, or storing value. The author posits that while the issuance layer currently captures the most profit, the most overlooked and potentially critical layer is infrastructure. The core challenge for stablecoin adoption isn't the on-chain transfer (which is simple), but bridging the gap between blockchain and the real-world financial system. This involves solving practical problems for businesses: fiat conversion, reconciliation, tax handling, and user onboarding. Infrastructure companies are currently in a difficult "land-grab" phase—building networks, securing banking relationships, and achieving compliance country-by-country. They face pressure from both the profitable issuance layer above and distribution platforms below. However, the author suggests this layer is building a crucial moat. Once stablecoins become a default business rail, the infrastructure players who have done the hard work of integration may gain significant, durable value and pricing power.

链捕手6 ч. назад

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

链捕手6 ч. назад

Why Is Nvidia Borrowing $20 Billion When It's Not Short of Cash?

Nvidia's recent announcement to issue at least $20 billion in senior notes, despite holding a strong cash position with over $48.6 billion in free cash flow last quarter, is not a sign of financial need. Instead, it represents a strategic move to leverage its high credit rating (recently upgraded to AA by S&P) to secure low-cost, long-term debt. This capital will support long-term AI infrastructure investments, data centers, R&D, supply chain prepayments, and strategic investments, while allowing the company to continue aggressive shareholder returns through stock buybacks and dividends. The decision reflects a mature capital management strategy: using debt to finance long-term growth assets is more efficient and less dilutive to shareholders than equity financing. It signals that Nvidia, like other tech giants (Alphabet, Meta, Amazon), is entering a new phase of heavy AI capital expenditure, shifting from a pure growth story to a story about capital allocation, credit strength, and long-term ecosystem positioning. The key question for investors is whether Nvidia can maintain its high cash flow generation and ensure that returns from these AI investments justify the cost of capital over the long term. The bond issuance amplifies its expansion capabilities but also ties its valuation more closely to the broader AI investment cycle's sustainability and profitability.

marsbit7 ч. назад

Why Is Nvidia Borrowing $20 Billion When It's Not Short of Cash?

marsbit7 ч. назад

Торговля

Спот
Фьючерсы
活动图片

Популярные категорииright-arrow

Популярные тегиright-arrow