Today, the Hong Kong Government issued Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets, setting out its plans to build a trusted and innovative digital asset ecosystem by the end of the year.
The statement, released by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau in Hong Kong, reaffirms the city’s aim to become a global innovation hub for digital assets.
It explains why regulators will tighten risk controls, protect investors and drive benefits for both the real economy and financial markets.
Streamlining Rules for Service Providers
Under the new “LEAP” framework, Hong Kong will create a unified rulebook for all digital asset service providers. The SEC will lead licensing for trading and custody of digital assets.
Meanwhile, the Treasury Bureau and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will review laws to make the tokenisation of real-world assets smoother. This review will cover key steps like settlement and record-keeping for tokenised bonds and other financial products.
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Growing Tokenised Products
The government plans to allow tokenised government bonds and to encourage firms to turn real-world assets into digital tokens. By clarifying stamp duty for tokenised exchange-traded funds, it hopes to boost liquidity and make these products more accessible.
Authorities will also promote new tokenised offerings in areas such as gold, non-ferrous metals and renewable energy projects like solar panels. The aim is to show how widely the technology can be used across different industries.
Building Real-World Use Cases
A licensing regime for stablecoin issuers will start on August 1. This step will help real-world applications of stablecoins to flourish, and the government invites market players to propose pilot projects using licensed stablecoins.
To back these efforts, Cyberport will roll out a funding scheme for blockchain and digital asset projects. The scheme will target high-impact applications that could serve as examples for future use cases.
Developing Talent and Partnerships
Hong Kong will team up with universities and the private sector to train a new generation of digital asset experts. The city aims to become a centre for sharing knowledge on blockchain and tokenisation.
Joint research initiatives and global regulatory cooperation will be part of the plan. By building up talent and forging international links, Hong Kong hopes to sustain its position as a leading financial centre.
Industry Response and Next Steps
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said digital assets have great potential to lower costs and make financial services more inclusive. He stressed that a clear regulatory regime, combined with room for innovation, will help integrate digital assets into daily life and the wider economy.
Reports in local media say the government has received multiple applications from firms seeking stablecoin licences. This brings Hong Kong one step closer to becoming a regulated hub for digital currencies.
With Policy Statement 2.0, Hong Kong has mapped out a clear path for digital assets, from legal reforms and tokenised products to real-world pilots and talent development.