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Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters emphasized the pivotal role of Hong Kong’s advancements in tokenized money and stablecoins in driving the digital transformation of global trade. Speaking at the Hong Kong FinTech Week, Winters noted that projects involving stablecoins based on the Hong Kong dollar and tokenized deposit tests could herald a new era in international payments. His remarks coincide with a phase where the city’s financial authorities are accelerating cryptocurrency regulations.
Hong Kong Dollar-Linked Crypto Initiative
Winters highlighted Hong Kong’s initiatives in tokenized deposits and stablecoins as foundational elements in the digital trade ecosystem. Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong branch, in collaboration with Animoca Brands and HKT, has applied for a license to issue a stablecoin backed by the Hong Kong dollar under a new regulatory framework by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). This consortium is one of the five entities participating in HKMA’s stablecoin testing environment initiated last year. Winters believes these projects will expedite the transition to a fully digital international trade system.
Hong Kong’s pilot applications aim to eliminate inefficiencies in cross-border transactions inherent in the traditional financial system. Through tokenized deposits, banks and businesses will be able to perform instant and low-cost payments via cryptocurrencies. According to Winters, these innovations are poised to establish Hong Kong as Asia’s digital finance hub.
SFC Greenlights Access to Global Liquidity
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), during the same event, issued a new circular allowing licensed cryptocurrency exchanges access to global liquidity pools. Under the cryptocurrency roadmap named “ASPIRe,” local platforms can now share global order books, which is expected to enhance price discovery processes and boost market efficiency.
The SFC mentioned the new system will significantly narrow the price gaps but also noted potential increases in operational and settlement risks. The regulatory body has mandated that platforms ensure pre-funding, delivery versus payment (DvP) methods, integrated market surveillance, and compensation reserves to safeguard client assets. This decision accelerates Hong Kong’s integration into the global cryptocurrency market, positioning the region as one of the most innovative crypto centers in Asia.
