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Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency
News and analysis about non-fiat, decentralised assets used as digital currencies, including bitcoin, ether, altcoins and stablecoins.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) logo in IFC Two. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Banking & finance

Hong Kong taps group of experts to help rewrite rules for tokenised bonds

HKMA sets up the collective, spanning 21 institutions, in push to expand blockchain-based issuance beyond government pilots.

Art

French museum reports theft of banana from multimillion-dollar artwork

HKEX

Open Questions | Charles Li on making Hong Kong a magnet for global IPOs

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Stablecoins

Letters | Mind the gap between Hong Kong digital asset policy and practice

Readers discuss digital asset audits, the danger of setting a ride-hailing cap, and the bigger picture on allowing dogs in restaurants.

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, leaves Manhattan federal court in New York in 2023. Photo: AP
SFC

Hong Kong finalises crypto regulatory framework to lock in global hub ambitions

Under the new rules, firms providing advice or market analysis on virtual asset trading must meet strict capital requirements.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong minister touts gold as ‘bridge between conventional and new finance’

Treasury chief Christopher Hui also says city opted against separate regulatory authority for digital assets to support ‘convergence’.

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Art

Are NFTs the hero or villain in the contemporary art scene?

In March, Art Basel Hong Kong featured a dedicated space for digital practices, raising the question: what’s next for non-fungible tokens?

The financial hype behind NFTs may have evaporated, but blockchain technology still has many applications. Photo: Josh Ye
United States

Trump family’s crypto project sues billionaire backer Justin Sun

The Trumps’ World Liberty Financial accused Sun of launching a ‘public smear campaign’.

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Stablecoins

Hong Kong a key global hub for USDC cross-border payments: Circle CEO

Circle recently announced a partnership with Hong Kong-listed OSL Group to expand USDC offerings in the city.

Thailand

Thailand to extradite Indonesian man in US$10 million scam targeting Americans

The suspect allegedly hired models to lure targets into phoney investment schemes over video calls, dating apps and social media.

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Waves crash on Kalim beach in Phuket. The suspect was arrested from a luxury resort on the Thai island. Photo: Shutterstock
Yuan

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

Former European economic adviser says Beijing’s bid to build an international currency will hinge on leaders allowing it to fluctuate freely.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong courts

Ex-manager of crypto firm Huobi acquitted of moving millions into account

Chen Boliang accessed crypto platform now known as HTX to trade in dark pool under individual account, which is prohibited under regulations.

Investing

Chinese economist Fu Peng hails crypto’s historic rise as he joins Bitfire

The crypto asset management firm acquires a trading system and hires a team of 20 people from Avenir Group for US$1.6 million.

Banking & finance

Open Questions | Euro, yuan unlikely to match US dollar, Daniel Gros says

German economist doubts EU and Chinese currencies will be widely used for international trade or that stablecoins will take off outside the ‘shadow economy’.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
United States

Billionaire Justin Sun sues Trump family crypto venture

The entrepreneur says his WLFI assets were frozen by World Liberty Financial, and he has been unable to resell the electronic currency.

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TRON founder Justin Sun speaks at an event in Seoul, South Korea, in September 2025. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s stablecoin roll-out puts banks at the centre of digital money

Hong Kong is building a bank-led digital money system, not a cryptocurrency free-for-all.

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North Korea

North Korea’s Lazarus suspected of stealing US$290 million from KelpDAO

Ethereum was ‘drained’ from KelpDAO in the biggest known cryptocurrency heist so far this year.

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Stablecoins

Hong Kong lawmaker swipes at US lack of ‘clarity’ as city eyes crypto lead

Hong Kong has granted its first two licences for stablecoin issuers, and is pushing forward regulations on crypto dealers and custodians.

The Hong Kong Web3 Festival is organised by Wangxiang blockchain labs and HashKey Group. Photo: Handout
China digital currency

Hong Kong seen leading Asia in push to scale stablecoins, HSBC says

Interoperability and real-world applications seen as key hurdles as city looks to unlock tokenisation’s full potential.

Fintech

How PayMe’s 3.3 million users and Hong Kong firms could start using stablecoins

HSBC eyes retail stablecoin roll-out via PayMe in second half of 2026, as Standard Chartered-led joint venture focuses on institutions first.

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Banking & finance

Calls grow for HKMA to go further on stablecoins after conservative first batch

Analysts and investors say the HKMA’s cautious approach prioritises risk control, but limits Hong Kong’s digital asset ambitions.

Analysts say the HKMA has prioritised risk management , even as it seeks to promote financial innovation through stablecoins. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Fintech

HSBC, StanChart-led group among first to get stablecoin licences in Hong Kong

HSBC will launch its Hong Kong dollar stablecoin in the second half of this year, integrating it into its PayMe and mobile banking platforms.

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The awarding of stablecoin issuer licences marks the city’s latest step towards embracing cryptocurrency’s most-traded cash substitute. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

OKX Ventures, HashKey Capital back Vietnam crypto platform’s pilot scheme bid

Under pilot rules, at least 65 per cent of capital must come from institutional investors and foreign ownership is capped at 49 per cent.

Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong is not competing with US stablecoins or the digital renminbi

Readers discuss the city’s stablecoin ambitions, the use of e-payments, and the role eHealth could play in stroke prevention.

Banking & finance

Editorial | Stablecoin launch delay shows Hong Kong would rather be safe than sorry

Given the complexity involved, it’s wise not to rush to meet any self-imposed deadline but to make sure a good framework is in place first.

Hong Kong plans to be a digital asset hub with stablecoins playing a key role. Photo: Shutterstock
Scams and swindles

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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Yuan

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

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