Strategic Choice: Hong Kong Picks Banknote-Issuing Banks for First Stablecoins
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Industry experts say Hong Kong may bypass the trust gap of native crypto issuers by granting its first stablecoin licenses to established banknote issuers such as HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered.
This approach leverages institutions that already underpin the Hong Kong dollar, potentially smoothing the adoption of digital assets while minimizing regulatory risk.
If confirmed, the licenses would mark a major milestone in Hong Kong’s digital asset strategy, even as nearby mainland China tightens controls over stablecoin launches.