Server-rendered tracker page for custody regulation in Hong Kong. This page is built for Google and LLM crawlers: every event below links to a permanent policy-event URL with source data and APAC FINSTAB analysis.
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong. Regulator: SFC / HKMA. Topic: Custody. Latest event: April 10, 2026 — Transak Expansion into APAC Secured by Gobi Partners Investment.
Use this page to compare rule changes, licensing signals, enforcement posture, and market-access implications for exchanges, stablecoin issuers, protocols, custodians and institutional teams operating across APAC.
Gobi Partners announced investment in Transak, a global payments infrastructure provider enabling compliant fiat-to-digital-asset conversion across 64+ countries with 21+ regulatory approvals. Transak plans to expand APAC presence with Hong Kong headquarters consolidation. Platform incorporates mandatory KYC, AML controls, risk monitoring, and local payment integrations. Serves as critical infrastructure for regulated crypto exchanges and VASPs across APAC meeting compliance requirements.
Australia has passed its first comprehensive digital-asset law, requiring crypto exchanges and custody providers to obtain Australian Financial Services Licenses (AFSL). Key provisions: 1) Stablecoins, wrapped tokens, and tokenised securities classified as financial products, 2) ASIC introduced no-action position until June 30, 2026 for firms making genuine compliance efforts, 3) AUD$24 billion market opportunity comes into focus. The law addresses a gap exposed when 524 retail investors gained access to high-risk crypto derivatives without proper protections between July 2022-April 2023.
The US Labor Department proposed a rule following a Trump executive order directing regulators to expand digital asset access in retirement portfolios. This could open trillions in 401(k) funds to crypto exposure. APAC exchanges and custodians with US-compliant infrastructure (HashKey, OSL) may benefit from increased institutional flows as US retirement capital seeks regulated crypto access points.
Hong Kong 2026-27 Budget confirms legislation this year to license digital asset dealers and custodians, including OTC brokers and custody service providers. The budget also sweetens tax regime to attract crypto-friendly family offices as part of broader digital asset hub strategy.
Hong Kong confirms first stablecoin licenses will be awarded in March 2026. Financial Secretary Paul Chan announces legislation for dealers and custodian service providers to broaden regulatory framework beyond existing rules for trading platforms. The city is racing to compete with Singapore and Dubai for regional crypto infrastructure business.
Hong Kong's FSTB confirms comprehensive legislation for virtual asset custodians and dealers by end of 2026.