Hong Kong Bridges Traditional Finance and Blockchain with Live Crypto Pilot

Hong Kong is accelerating its ambition to become a global crypto hub with the launch of a real-value transaction pilot under its Project Ensemble initiative, marking a pivotal shift from experimental testing to live, value-bearing settlements. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city's de facto central bank, announced the new phase on Thursday, emphasizing its role in advancing tokenization within traditional banking through the e-HKD digital currency.

The pilot, expected to run until 2026, initially focuses on tokenized money-market fund transactions and real-time liquidity management, with interbank settlements initially supported by the HKD Real Time Gross Settlement system. Over time, the HKMA plans to upgrade the system to enable 24/7 settlement using tokenized central bank money, a move described by HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue as bridging "innovation and implementation".

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to integrate blockchain technology into financial infrastructure. Last week, the Monetary Authority of Singapore announced plans to test tokenized MAS bills settled via a central bank digital currency, while Singaporean firms DBS and J.P. Morgan's Kinexys developed an interoperability framework for tokenized deposit transfers across blockchain networks. Hong Kong's own progress includes the recent issuance of a record HK$10 billion tokenized green bond, the world's largest of its kind, which attracted HK$130 billion in bids from institutional investors. The bond's settlement in e-HKD or e-CNY underscores the government's push to connect conventional finance with fintech innovation.

The city's financial ecosystem is also expanding with the arrival of Western investment firms. Chicago-based Adams Street Partners opened a Hong Kong office in November, joining a wave of firms capitalizing on the city's role as a gateway to international capital and cross-border dealmaking. Similarly, Aquilius, a leading Asia-Pacific secondaries platform, announced the opening of its Hong Kong office alongside the hiring of Martin Yung and Patrick Qian, former HarbourVest professionals, to bolster its private equity capabilities. These moves reflect growing confidence in Hong Kong's market potential, with equity capital raising hitting HK$422 billion in 2024 - the highest level since 2021.

Meanwhile, blockchain-based collaboration is deepening. UBS and Ant International signed a memorandum of understanding to explore innovations in tokenized deposits, leveraging UBS's Digital Cash platform and Ant's Whale blockchain solution to streamline cross-border payments and liquidity management. UBS Singapore Country Head Young Jin Yee highlighted the partnership as a step toward "real-time, multi-currency payment solutions" that enhance transparency and efficiency.