Policy Event Β· High impact

HSBC Signals Intent to Join Hong Kong Stablecoin Regime

HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery confirmed the bank is in active discussions with HKMA regarding stablecoin issuer licenses. HSBC expressed interest in participating in Hong Kongs digital asset ecosystem, emphasizing the citys comprehensive regulatory environment. HKMA is expected to issue first batch of stablecoin licenses in March 2026.

High impactπŸ‡­πŸ‡° Hong KongStablecoinLicensingUSDTUSDC

APAC FINSTAB analysis

For APAC operators, this creates a high-impact signal around stablecoin, licensing in Hong Kong. Protocols/assets in scope: USDT, USDC. Teams should monitor the original source, map the change to licensing, custody, disclosure, and market-access obligations, and update their jurisdiction playbooks before the next compliance review.

Compliance read-through: map this event to entity licensing, market-access, custody, disclosure, token listing, and operational-risk obligations before expanding or marketing in the affected jurisdiction.

View related Stablecoin tracker page β†’

Related policy events

Kazakhstan Court Bars Six Unlicensed Crypto Platforms From AIFC Services

The AIFC Court granted AFSA injunctions barring Coinbase, BingX, Bitcoin.com, HTX, BitMart and WEEX from offering or advertising digital-asset services within the AIFC without authorisation. The action raises immediate geofencing, marketing, onboarding and wind-down control requirements for platforms serving the jurisdiction.

High impactπŸ‡°πŸ‡Ώ KazakhstanEnforcementLicensingRegulation

Google Tightens UAE Crypto And CFD Advertising Licensing Requirements

Google Ads updated its UAE financial-services advertising policy, requiring advertisers promoting crypto exchanges, wallets, CFDs or forex services to hold a CMA, DFSA, FSRA or VARA licence and complete Google certification from 21 October. The change ties customer-acquisition eligibility to licence scope, target geography and advertising disclosures.

High impact🌐 AERegulationLicensing

BIS Research Flags Stablecoin Substitution Risk For Bank Deposits

A BIS working paper finds a measurable inverse relationship between bank-deposit rates and stablecoin growth, highlighting the potential for deposit substitution. Banks, issuers and regulators should incorporate interest-rate, redemption and deposit-migration scenarios into liquidity and prudential monitoring.

High impact🌐 GlobalStablecoinBankingRegulationUSDTUSDC