Crypto World
CZ Memoir Fuels Crypto Debate as Hong Kong Grants First Stablecoin Licenses
CZ’s autobiography has sparked fierce debate, while Hong Kong has issued its first stablecoin issuer licenses. At the same time, Iran has begun collecting cryptocurrency toll payments from oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. These events, along with new US policy moves, have added fresh pressure and attention across the digital asset market.
Hong Kong Opens Stablecoin Licensing as Regulation Moves Forward
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses. Two licenses were issued in the first round. They included HSBC and Anchor Fintech Limited. Anchor Fintech is a joint venture tied to Standard Chartered Bank, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecom.
The authority said applicants were reviewed on several factors. These included business plans, issuer functions, risk controls, and compliance capacity. It also reviewed whether the proposed use cases could add value to the wider market. The process covered compliance in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions.
In the United States, crypto regulation is also moving ahead. SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the proposed crypto safe harbor framework has entered White House review. The review is being handled by OIRA, and release is expected soon.
The plan includes a startup exemption program. It may allow crypto projects to raise funds for about four years under disclosure rules. It also includes an investment contract safe harbor and guidance on token classification. The SEC is also working on an innovation exemption for on-chain assets.
Iran Toll Plan and Market Shifts Add New Pressure
Iran has started charging tolls on fully loaded oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The reported rate is about $1 per barrel. Payments are being requested in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets during a two-week ceasefire period with the United States.
Under the plan, vessels must send cargo details to Iran by email. After review, payment instructions are issued. Empty tankers may be exempt. Hamid Hosseini said the policy aims to track traffic and prevent weapons movement during the ceasefire period.
Elsewhere, industry operations are also shifting. Binance employees in the UAE were reportedly offered relocation options to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. The move followed security concerns after the US-Iran war affected the UAE and Dubai.
At the same time, returns on major DeFi platforms continued to decline. Aave, Lido, and other large protocols now offer yields below some traditional finance platforms. This has increased focus on products supported by US Treasuries and institutional credit.
CZ Memoir Draws Attention as Firms Face Volatility
Binance founder CZ said his autobiography Freedom of Money was fully released on April 8. English and traditional Chinese editions are now available. He said all personal proceeds and royalties will be donated to charity.
The book drew attention for its prison writing conditions and its claims about industry figures. CZ described harsh limits on communication tools in prison. He also wrote about SBF, the failed FTX rescue talks, and a dispute involving Star Xu. Those remarks have fueled broad discussion across the crypto sector.
Corporate volatility also remained in focus. Strategy reported a $14.5 billion unrealized Bitcoin loss in the first quarter. The company said fair value accounting amplified the quarter’s swings. It still added 4,871 BTC between April 1 and April 5.
BitMine also announced a NYSE listing transfer and expanded its share repurchase plan to $4 billion. The company said it had accumulated about 4.803 million ETH over nine months. That total represents about 3.98% of ETH supply.
The integration marks the latest expansion of Visa’s stablecoin infrastructure, which now spans settlement, card spending, and direct on-ramp capabilities.
Nasdaq-listed fintech firm OwlTing Group (OWLS) has expanded its collaboration with Visa to integrate Visa Direct into its OwlPay payment infrastructure, creating a card-to-wallet on-ramp that lets eligible U.S. debit cardholders fund USDC transactions without needing a standalone exchange account.
The capability is now live inside OwlPay Harbor, the company’s enterprise-grade on/off-ramp layer, and is also accessible to consumers through OwlPay Wallet Pro, a self-custody digital wallet. A subsequent phase will bring the on-ramp to OwlPay Cash, the firm’s consumer remittance app.
Once funded, users can spend USDC at U.S. retailers via gift cards, transfer assets to third-party platforms, or send funds globally through settlement channels including pushes to eligible Visa debit cards, local bank accounts via the Circle Payments Network, and cash pickup through MoneyGram.
OwlTing CEO Darren Wang framed the integration as an effort to close the gap between existing card infrastructure and digital dollar rails. The company holds money transmission licenses or equivalents in 41 U.S. states as of March 2026, according to the announcement.
Visa’s Expanding Stablecoin Footprint
The partnership adds another layer to Visa’s rapidly growing stablecoin strategy.
The payments giant launched USDC settlement in the U.S. in December 2025 with Cross River Bank and Lead Bank on Solana, and in March expanded its collaboration with Stripe-owned Bridge to bring stablecoin-linked Visa cards to more than 100 countries. Visa’s stablecoin-linked card spending alone hit a $3.5 billion annualized run rate in late 2025, growing roughly 460% year over year, according to an Artemis report.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
Brian Armstrong, the Coinbase CEO who withdrew the crypto exchange’s support for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in January, said “it’s time” for the legislation to pass after months of delays.
In a Thursday X post, Armstrong said that Coinbase agreed with comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, in which he urged Congress to act on the crypto bill soon. According to the CEO, the current version of the legislation, after months of negotiations between lawmakers and representatives from the crypto and banking industries, was a “strong bill.”
“It’s time to pass the Clarity Act,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong’s endorsement of the bill came about three months after the CEO said that the company could not support the legislation “as written,” leading to lawmakers in the Senate Banking Committee postponing a markup on CLARITY necessary for its approval.
At the time, Armstrong said that he expected the bill to pass “in a few weeks,” but concerns over ethics, tokenized equities, stablecoin yield and other crypto-related issues have stalled progress since January.
Related: Coinbase CEO denies White House clash, says negotiations are ongoing
The expected markup for the bill in the banking committee, not scheduled as of Friday, will follow approval from the Senate Agriculture Committee in January. Both committees need to address different aspects of securities and commodities regulations before a potential vote for the CLARITY Act in the full chamber.
Coinbase legal chief Paul Grewal said last week that lawmakers were “very close to a deal” on the bill.
Is the crypto industry’s influence growing in Washington?
Since before the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, many experts have questioned the influence of the crypto industry on elections, lawmakers’ decisions and White House policies.
Executives at Coinbase and Ripple Labs have been parties to the discussions with administration officials on the CLARITY Act, and Armstrong reportedly met with the president before Trump posted a social media message calling for immediate action on crypto market structure.
The relationships may have benefited Coinbase and other companies seeking crypto-friendly laws and regulations under Trump. Last week, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency approved Coinbase’s application for a national bank trust charter, following December approvals for Paxos, Ripple Labs, BitGo, Circle and Fidelity Digital Assets.
Magazine: Should users be allowed to bet on war and death in prediction markets?
Key Highlights
- Fair Isaac shares plummeted approximately 13% during Friday’s trading session, ranking among the S&P 500’s weakest performers
- Shares are headed toward their lowest closing level since November 2023
- FHFA’s Bill Pulte called for more affordable credit score pricing on March 24
- Missouri Senator Josh Hawley launched a formal probe into the company’s pricing strategy
- Wall Street firm Barclays reduced its price objective to $1,950 while maintaining an Overweight stance
Shares of Fair Isaac experienced a severe downturn Friday, plummeting approximately 13% to close at $954.43. This level represents the stock’s lowest closing price since it finished at $927.76 on November 6, 2023. The credit scoring giant ranked as the second-worst performer in the S&P 500 index, trailing only Akamai Technologies.
The benchmark indices painted a contrasting picture. While the S&P 500 managed a modest 0.2% gain, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%. FICO’s performance clearly diverged from the broader market trend in a decidedly negative direction.
The selloff extended beyond Fair Isaac. Other credit reporting companies also faced downward pressure. TransUnion shares declined 4.2%, Equifax retreated 2.7%, and Experian similarly finished the session lower.
Regulatory concerns surrounding FICO have been mounting in recent weeks. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte took to social media on March 24 to declare that both credit score and credit bureau pricing “must be more affordable.” His statement came as a response to comments made by Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley.
Hawley escalated the matter by announcing the commencement of a formal examination into Fair Isaac’s pricing methodology. The company has not yet issued a public statement regarding the senator’s investigation.
This type of regulatory scrutiny presents significant challenges for any stock, particularly one already experiencing downward momentum prior to the week’s events.
Wall Street Analyst Reduces Target
Adding to the regulatory concerns, Barclays released a more reserved outlook. The investment bank suggested that FICO’s strong first-quarter financial results might not be sufficient to counterbalance mounting investor anxiety regarding the company’s positioning in the artificial intelligence landscape.
Barclays adjusted its price objective downward to $1,950 from its previous forecast, though the firm retained its Overweight rating on the shares. While the bank continues to see potential for long-term appreciation, it anticipates near-term investor sentiment will remain subdued as macroeconomic uncertainty and AI-related narratives influence trading patterns.
Management’s forward guidance is likely to face heightened examination, especially considering geopolitical uncertainties that weren’t comprehensively factored into prior projections.
Year-to-Date Struggles Intensify
Fair Isaac’s performance throughout 2026 has been notably challenging. Shares have declined roughly 43% year-to-date, with March alone accounting for a 24% drop. Friday’s decline marks the fifth consecutive monthly decrease for the stock.
Daily trading volume averages approximately 337,499 shares, and technical indicators currently signal a Sell recommendation. The company’s market capitalization has contracted to roughly $25.44 billion.
Prior to Friday’s trading action, FICO shares had already fallen around 36.57% for the year, positioning it among the S&P 500’s poorest performers in 2026.
Senator Hawley’s pricing investigation continues to progress, and Fair Isaac has not yet publicly responded to the affordability concerns articulated by both Hawley and Pulte.
TLDR
- Ethereum gained 7.12% in March 2026 while Bitcoin rose 1.83%.
- Ethereum market cap increased by 2.97% while Bitcoin declined slightly.
- ETH showed higher volatility at 62.8% compared to Bitcoin’s 49.8%.
- Exchange outflows indicated reduced selling pressure for Ethereum.
- Network activity on Ethereum increased with rising active addresses.
Ethereum advanced over Bitcoin in March 2026 as capital shifted across crypto markets. Data showed stronger price gains and rising activity on Ethereum. Analysts linked the trend to liquidity response and network usage growth.
Ethereum Gains Momentum With Price and Activity Growth
Ethereum recorded a 7.12% monthly increase while Bitcoin posted a 1.83% gain. Market data showed investors favored assets with stronger short-term movement. Analysts stated, “Ethereum responded faster to liquidity changes during March.”
At the same time, Ethereum’s market capitalization rose by 2.97% during the period. Bitcoin’s market value slipped by 0.43%, reflecting slower capital inflows. This shift pointed to active repositioning by market participants.
Ethereum’s realized volatility reached 62.8%, while Bitcoin showed 49.8%. The higher volatility indicated sharper price reactions to market conditions. Analysts described Ethereum as a “higher beta asset in the current cycle.”
Meanwhile, Ethereum maintained a strong correlation with Bitcoin near 0.94. Despite this link, Ethereum displayed larger price swings in short periods. This pattern supported its role in rapid trading strategies.
Bitcoin Trails as Capital Moves Toward Ethereum
Bitcoin continued to attract steady demand but showed limited price expansion. Its modest growth aligned with its store-of-value positioning. Analysts said, “Bitcoin remained stable but lacked short-term momentum.”
On-chain data showed Ethereum exchange outflows increased during the same period. Reduced exchange balances suggested lower immediate selling pressure. This trend indicated stronger holding behavior among participants.
Meanwhile, Ethereum network activity expanded with rising active addresses. Increased usage pointed to broader engagement across applications and services. Analysts linked this growth to DeFi and tokenization demand.
The Coinbase Premium Gap for Ethereum stayed negative but improved over time. This movement suggested a gradual return of demand from U.S. investors. Analysts noted steady recovery signals in regional trading flows.
Stablecoins and decentralized finance activity supported Ethereum’s ecosystem growth. Real-world asset tokenization also gained traction on the network. These factors reinforced Ethereum’s position as a financial infrastructure layer.
Key Takeaways
- Fair Isaac shares plummeted approximately 13% during Friday’s trading session, ranking among the S&P 500’s poorest performers
- The closing price represents the company’s weakest level since late 2023
- FHFA’s Bill Pulte publicly called for more affordable credit scoring on March 24
- Missouri Senator Josh Hawley launched a formal probe into the company’s pricing strategies
- Investment bank Barclays reduced its price objective to $1,950 while maintaining an Overweight stance
Shares of Fair Isaac experienced a substantial decline on Friday, plummeting roughly 13% to close at $954.43. This marks a trajectory toward the company’s weakest closing level since November 6, 2023, when shares settled at $927.76. Only Akamai Technologies posted a worse performance among S&P 500 constituents that day.
Meanwhile, broader market indices painted a contrasting picture. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, though the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%. FICO’s steep decline stood out sharply against this mixed backdrop.
The selloff extended beyond Fair Isaac itself. Other credit reporting companies also experienced significant downward pressure. TransUnion’s shares declined 4.2%, Equifax retreated 2.7%, and Experian similarly posted losses for the session.
Regulatory concerns surrounding FICO have been mounting over recent weeks. On March 24, Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, took to social media to declare that both credit score and credit bureau pricing structures “must be more affordable.” His statement came as a response to commentary from Missouri’s Republican Senator Josh Hawley.
Senator Hawley escalated matters by announcing the commencement of a formal investigation targeting FICO’s pricing methodologies. The company has not yet issued a public statement regarding the investigation.
Such regulatory scrutiny typically weighs heavily on stock performance, particularly for a company already experiencing downward momentum entering the trading week.
Investment Bank Reduces Price Outlook
Compounding the regulatory concerns, Barclays issued a more conservative assessment of the company’s prospects. The investment bank cautioned that FICO’s strong first-quarter financial performance might prove insufficient to counterbalance mounting investor anxiety regarding the company’s competitive positioning in artificial intelligence.
Barclays revised its price target downward to $1,950 from its previous estimate, though the firm retained its Overweight rating on the shares. While the bank continues to identify long-term value potential, it anticipates near-term investor sentiment will remain subdued as macroeconomic uncertainty and AI-related narratives influence trading patterns.
Management’s forward guidance is anticipated to face heightened examination, especially considering geopolitical uncertainties that weren’t fully incorporated into prior projections.
Challenging Year Continues to Deteriorate
Fair Isaac’s year-to-date stock performance presents a concerning picture for shareholders. The shares have declined approximately 43% since the beginning of the year, with a 24% drop recorded in March alone. Friday’s selloff positions the stock for its fifth consecutive monthly decline.
Daily trading volume averages approximately 337,499 shares, while technical indicators currently signal a Sell recommendation. The company’s market capitalization has contracted to roughly $25.44 billion.
Before Friday’s trading session, FICO stock had already fallen around 36.57% year-to-date, establishing it as among the S&P 500’s weakest performers in 2026.
The investigation initiated by Senator Hawley continues to develop, while Fair Isaac has yet to publicly respond to the pricing criticisms voiced by both the Senator and FHFA Director Pulte.
TLDR
- Flare plans to reduce FLR inflation from 5% to 3% under a new governance proposal.
- The proposal introduces FIRE to manage revenue from protocol-level MEV capture.
- Flare aims to shift block building to a controlled model to retain network value.
- The network proposes raising gas fees to increase annual token burn levels.
- Governance voting will take place between April 17 and April 24.
Flare introduced a governance proposal to reshape FLR tokenomics and capture protocol-level MEV. The plan reduces inflation and redirects network value into ecosystem incentives. It also outlines a structured builder model to control block production and revenue flow.
Flare and FLR Plan Shifts Tokenomics Through MEV Capture
Flare proposes reducing annual FLR inflation from 5% to 3%, cutting issuance by 40%. The proposal also lowers the yearly cap from 5 billion to 3 billion FLR tokens.
The network introduced FIRE, or Flare Income Reinvestment Entity, to manage captured value. It aims to channel proceeds into buybacks, burns, and ecosystem funding.
Flare stated, “The model seeks to connect network usage directly to token value.” The framework focuses on aligning onchain activity with FLR demand.
The proposal shifts block building toward a protocol-controlled structure over time. This change targets value flows that typically move to external searchers.
The system plans to capture positive MEV, including arbitrage and liquidation events. It also includes liquidity provisioning within the builder framework.
Flare said the change supports long-term token sustainability through structured revenue capture. It also aims to reduce inefficiencies seen across many blockchain systems.
Network Activity Supports Proposal Timing and Economic Changes
Flare reported over $160 million in total value locked across its ecosystem. It also recorded more than 880,000 active addresses on the network.
The network confirmed around 150 million FXRP minted, with over 85% deployed in DeFi use. Dune data shows TVL near $165 million.
The proposal includes a gas fee increase from 60 gwei to 1,200 gwei. This adjustment aims to raise annual FLR burn from 7.5 million to 300 million tokens.
Flare said higher fees could strengthen burn mechanics under current transaction levels. It also expects a stronger linkage between usage and token supply reduction.
The plan shifts reward allocation toward P Chain staking participants. It also sets a minimum 20% fee share for infrastructure contributors.
Flare noted that this structure supports entities maintaining network services. It ensures a defined share of generated revenue flows to operators.
Governance Timeline Outlines Decision Window for Proposal
Flare scheduled the governance notice period from April 9 to April 16. The network then set voting between April 17 and April 24.
The proposal outlines immediate implementation for key economic changes upon approval. These include inflation cuts and fee structure adjustments.
Flare emphasized that the builder model will roll out gradually over time. The shift depends on governance approval and network readiness.
The proposal connects multiple network components, including FAssets and Smart Accounts. It also integrates Flare Data Connector and Confidential Compute.
Flare stated that the next phase links ecosystem activity directly to FLR economics. The network confirmed that voting will determine the proposal outcome.
TAO drops 30% from its weekly high, confirming fractal setups that projected deeper downside targets for the token in the past.
Mirroring a breakout setup from Q2 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) is now eyeing a possible rally toward the $86,000–$90,000 range over the next few weeks.
The bullish view is supported by robust Bitcoin whale activity and large BTC inflows to exchanges, which have dropped by $5 billion over the past two months.
BTC support cluster at $70,000 builds breakout pressure
Bitcoin reached a weekly high of $73,255 on Friday after testing the $72,000 level earlier in the week, with the price compressing between $70,000 and $72,000 over the past four days. The higher price range is showing more stability for BTC than in March, when BTC quickly corrected after reaching the key level.
The 30-day rolling volume-weighted average price (VWAP), which indicates where most recent trading activity has occurred, and the 50-day moving average have converged below the price, forming a dynamic support base.
Currently, the $76,000 level marks the upper boundary of a 64-day sideways phase. A push above this level aligns with the descending trendline formed after the October highs near $126,000.
A breakout from this trend may signal a major shift and remove the psychological barrier that capped rallies over the past few months.
In Q2 2025, a similar setup formed after a prolonged compression below the moving averages. Once the price cleared the descending trendline, it expanded quickly into the next supply zone.
The current structure mirrors that sequence, with liquidity stacked between $86,000 and $90,000. This indicates a clean path for price expansion once the bearish trendline gives way.
Related: Bitcoin can be made quantum-safe without protocol upgrade: Researcher
BTC whale flows signal supply absorption
Crypto analyst Amr Taha noted that the 30-day Bitcoin inflows to exchanges from whales dropped to $2.96 billion, the first sub-$3 billion reading since June 2025.
The lower inflows reduce immediate sell-side pressure on exchanges. For context, the whale inflows to exchanges were as high as $8 billion in February.
At the same time, the long-term holder realized cap change reached $49 billion on April 9, marking renewed accumulation.
Taha noted a transfer of supply from weaker to stronger hands across these metrics. The divergence highlights steady absorption rather than aggressive selling.
Additionally, whale-sized orders of $1 million to $10 million pushed the spot cumulative volume delta (CVD) above $600 million on April 9, while market analyst CW pointed to renewed buying from other whale cohorts as well.
This activity coincides with price stabilization above $70,000. The $76,000 level now acts as a trigger zone, with the $86,000 to $90,000 range holding a visible, concentrated liquidity zone.
Related: Bitcoin hits $73K as cool US CPI data shows 60-year record gas price hike
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
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Little Pepe presale surpasses $28M as project nears completion and draws investor attention.
Summary
- Little Pepe presale surpasses $28M, with Stage 13 nearing completion as demand continues to rise
- LILPEPE is advancing toward next phase, with exchange listings and ecosystem expansion in focus
- Layer 2 utility, staking, and zero-tax trading position Little Pepe for long-term growth
Little Pepe’s (LILPEPE) presale has reached a crucial milestone in its journey to completion, having raised over $28 million. This shows the investors’ confidence in the project and the fact that the project has a lot to offer in the field of blockchain. As the end of the presale is in sight, attention is now focused on the future prospects of the project and the steps it will take towards the next stage.
Stage 13 nearing completion and price progression
The current presale has gathered more than $28 million in its current presale stage 13, which will reward investors who join the project at an early stage. The project has sold more than 16.9 billion tokens, out of its 17.25 million token target. After completing Stage 13, priced at $0.0022, the next stage after this will be Stage 14, priced at $0.0023.
As the present presale is nearing completion, the next step in the journey of Little Pepe is expected to be the expansion of its ecosystem. Generally speaking, projects at this phase are likely to look towards listing on exchanges, which can greatly contribute to improving market accessibility. Moreover, the development of its core features will greatly contribute to improving demand for the token in the long run.
Utility-driven ecosystem as a growth catalyst
Little Pepe differs from other cryptocurrencies in the fact that it has an Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 infrastructure. This enables the platform to facilitate faster and cheaper transactions. Additionally, the platform has several features geared towards the use of the platform. These include zero tax trading, sniper bot attacks, and staking rewards. The NFT and cross-chain capabilities to be introduced in the platform make it an even more promising venture compared to the current status of the platform as a meme coin.
In addition to the infrastructure, the ecosystem includes other utility-based features. The zero tax trading feature helps in the reduction of hurdles for the participants in the ecosystem. The sniper bot protection feature ensures the fairness of the ecosystem, especially in the token launch. The staking reward feature helps in the reduction of sell pressure in the ecosystem. Meme launchpad is an additional utility feature in the ecosystem. This feature helps the user to create a token in the ecosystem.
Community incentives as a growth catalyst
As the presale reaches its final stretch, the Little Pepe team has continued to reward the growing community with several incentives. The giveaway of $777,000 is still going strong. Additionally, the reward of 15+ ETH to the top contributors and random participants has been going on. All the above incentives not only reward the contributors but also grow the platform.
However, crossing the mark of $28 million is not only a milestone but is also the starting point to a new era for Little Pepe. Hence, with Stage 13 almost being completed and the presale being in the final stages, the project has already moved from the fundraising stage to the execution and expansion stage.
Having created a good foundation with the utilization of layer 2, tokenomics, and ecosystem, it is clear that the project has the potential to grow and expand in the coming days. Once all these exchange listings and other factors come into play, it is clear that the project has the potential to grow and become a major player in the meme coin industry. From an investment point of view, it is clear that this is a critical point to assess the potential of the project and how it is going to be in the coming days, as it is almost at its final stage.
For more information, visit the official website, X (Twitter), and Telegram.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
The HKMA selected two issuers from a pool of 36 applicants under the Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) granted its first two stablecoin issuer licenses on Friday, awarding them to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial, a joint venture led by Standard Chartered that includes Animoca Brands and Hong Kong Telecommunications.
The regulator selected the two from a pool of 36 applicants under the Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025. Both licensees are authorized to issue stablecoins pegged to the Hong Kong dollar.
The decision to award the first licenses to HSBC and Standard Chartered is notable, as both are among the only three commercial banks authorized to print physical Hong Kong dollar banknotes, a system dating back to 1846.
“The two applicants have experience in traditional finance and risk management, which fits the mission of stablecoins that aim to bridge traditional finance and digital finance,” said HKMA Deputy Chief Executive Darryl Chan.
Strict Guardrails
Hong Kong’s framework imposes tight requirements on issuers. Stablecoins must be fully backed by high-quality liquid assets such as cash, bank deposits, or short-term government securities. Issuers must maintain at least HK$25 million in paid-up capital and hold liquid capital equal to 12 months of operating expenses.
Holders must be able to redeem tokens at par within one business day, and issuers are prohibited from offering interest or yield on stablecoin holdings. The regime also bars algorithmic stablecoins from obtaining a license.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan had signaled in his February budget address that the first batch would be limited, with regulators prioritizing risk management, reserve quality, and anti-money-laundering controls.
Retail and Cross-Border Ambitions
HSBC said its HKD stablecoin will be available inside its PayMe app and HSBC HK Mobile Banking in the second half of 2026, giving retail customers direct access to the token. Anchorpoint plans to distribute through selected business partners.
The broader stablecoin market now exceeds $311 billion, though USD-denominated tokens account for nearly all of it. Hong Kong is betting that bank-issued, regulated HKD stablecoins can carve out a niche in regional trade settlement.
The licensing milestone also comes as mainland China explores renminbi-backed stablecoins through Hong Kong, and as state-owned enterprises like China National Petroleum Corporation study stablecoin use for cross-border payments.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
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