Hong Kong’s newest digital asset blueprint locations stablecoin regulation and asset tokenization on the coronary heart of its technique to change into a worldwide crypto and fintech hub.
The coverage assertion, issued on Thursday, introduces a framework often known as “LEAP,” focusing on authorized readability, ecosystem enlargement, real-world purposes and expertise improvement. It builds on the inspiration laid by the government’s first policy statement in October 2022.
As a part of the brand new framework, the federal government will implement a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers beginning Aug. 1, which “will facilitate the event of real-world use instances.”
The Securities and Futures Fee (SFC) will oversee licensing for digital asset (DA) dealing and custody suppliers, whereas the Monetary Providers and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Hong Kong Financial Authority will lead a authorized evaluation to help the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs).
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Hong Kong to control tokenized bonds
The federal government additionally plans to “regularise the issuance of tokenized Authorities bonds” and promote tokenized ETFs by clarifying their stamp responsibility remedy.
“With that, the Authorities welcomes the introduction of secondary market buying and selling of those tokenized ETFs on licensed DA buying and selling platforms or by means of different channels,” the coverage assertion stated.
Past bonds and funds, the federal government stated it goals to incentivize tokenization throughout broader sectors, together with metals and renewable vitality belongings, demonstrating “the flexibility of this expertise throughout sectors comparable to valuable metals (e.g., gold)… and photo voltaic panels.”
The coverage additionally contains new measures to spice up innovation, comparable to a Cyberport funding program geared toward supporting standout blockchain and digital asset initiatives.
In an announcement, Monetary Secretary Paul Chan stated the brand new framework “showcases the sensible use of tokenization” and goals to “construct a extra flourishing DA ecosystem which is able to combine the true financial system with social life.”
The federal government stated it can quickly launch public consultations on new licensing regimes.
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Hong Kong eyes crypto derivatives
Earlier this month, Hong Kong’s monetary authorities stated they have been preparing to introduce digital asset derivatives buying and selling for skilled buyers.
The initiative follows latest approvals for spot crypto ETFs, futures merchandise and staking services, together with a inexperienced mild for HashKey to offer staking in April, as the town positions itself as a number one digital finance hub.
In Might, the town’s Legislative Council passed the Stablecoin Bill, paving the best way for a regulated framework that would place the area as a worldwide chief in digital belongings and Web3 improvement.
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