Hong Kong begins discussions to introduce stablecoin regulatory framework

Jan 15, 2022

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Hong Kong’s central banking establishment, the Hong Kong Financial Authority (HKMA), launched a questionnaire to gauge public opinion on rules for crypto-assets and stablecoins. The state-backed regulator intends to determine a regulatory framework by 2023-24.

HKMA’s “Dialogue Paper on Crypto-assets and Stablecoins” highlights the explosive progress of the stablecoin market by way of market capitalization since 2020 and the concurrent regulatory suggestions put forth by worldwide regulators together with america’ Monetary Motion Job Drive (FATF), the Monetary Stability Board (FSB) and The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS).

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Market Capitalization of Crypto-assets. Supply: HKMA

In line with the HKMA, the present dimension and buying and selling exercise of crypto-assets could not pose a direct risk to the soundness of the worldwide monetary system from a systemic perspective. Nevertheless, the dialogue paper warned:

“The rising publicity of institutional buyers to such belongings as an alternative choice to or to enhance conventional asset lessons for buying and selling, lending and borrowing […] point out rising interconnectedness with the mainstream monetary system.”

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Market Capitalization of Main Stablecoins. Supply: HKMA.

Primarily based on the above determine, HKMA’s paper reveals that the worldwide market capitalization stood at about $150 billion in December 2021, “representing about 5% of the general crypto-asset market.” The regulator has additionally shared a listing of eight questions to hunt policy-related suggestions citing 5 attainable regulatory outcomes — no motion, opt-in regime, risk-based regime, catch-all regime and blanket ban:

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Attainable coverage choices for regulating crypto-assets. Supply: HKMA.

HKMA expects stakeholders to submit their responses by thirty first March 2022, and goals “to introduce the brand new regime no later than 2023/24.”

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Main jurisdictions’ regulatory stance in the direction of stablecoins. Supply: HKMA.

On an finish notice, the regulator said that payment-related stablecoins have the next potential for being included into the mainstream monetary system and even day-to-day business and financial actions. 

In consequence, the HKMA considers increasing the scope of the Cost Programs and Saved Worth Services Ordinance (PSSVFO), a regulation that determines the legality of economic merchandise. 

Associated: Hong Kong actual property big leads $90M elevate for crypto financial institution Sygnum

Complementing the native authorities’s pro-crypto intentions, certainly one of Hong Kong’s largest property builders Solar Hung Kai invested $90 million in Sygnum, a Swiss financial institution devoted to digital asset holding.

As Cointelegraph reported, the Sequence B funding spherical brings Sygnum’s post-money valuation to $800 million, marking a tenfold surge in consolidated revenues from 2021.