Regulation of Stablecoins in Hong Kong: Public Consultation Paper Released by Regulatory Authorities

Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Regulatory Regime for Stablecoin Issuers

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) have launched a public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong. The consultation, which began on December 27, will run until February 29, 2024. According to a joint statement by the HKMA and FSTB, the aim of the consultation is to seek residents’ opinions on the regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers.

Introduction of Sandbox Arrangement

Alongside the public consultation, the HKMA has announced the introduction of a sandbox arrangement. This sandbox will serve as a platform to provide supervisory expectations and guidance on compliance to potential stablecoin issuers. The sandbox arrangement will also allow the regulator to engage with stablecoin issuers and gather their perspectives on the proposed regulatory requirements.

Officials’ Comments

Christopher Hui, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, stated that the regulation of fiat-referenced stablecoins is an important step towards the development of Hong Kong’s Web3 ecosystem. Hui emphasized the significance of having licensing and enforcement measures in place to oversee stablecoin issuers in line with international standards.

Eddie Yue, the CEO of HKMA, expressed support for innovation while highlighting the need for responsible and sustainable development of the virtual asset ecosystem. Yue stated that the public consultation and sandbox arrangement demonstrate HKMA’s commitment to achieving this goal.

Hot Take: Hong Kong Seeks Public Opinion on Stablecoin Regulation

Hong Kong’s HKMA and FSTB have invited public feedback on the proposed regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers in the region. To gather opinions, a public consultation period has been initiated alongside the introduction of a sandbox arrangement by the HKMA. This sandbox will provide guidance and expectations on compliance for prospective stablecoin issuers, while also allowing the authority to understand their perspectives. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury emphasized the importance of having regulatory measures to oversee stablecoin issuers in line with international standards. These initiatives demonstrate Hong Kong’s commitment to facilitating the responsible and sustainable development of the virtual asset ecosystem.