Standard Chartered Animoca HKT Form Stablecoin Venture for Hong Kong License

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), Animoca Brands, and HKT have formed a joint venture called Anchorpoint Financial, aiming to apply for Hong Kong’s first licensed stablecoin issuance under the newly enacted Stablecoin Ordinance [1]. The initiative represents a strategic alignment of institutional banking, Web3 innovation, and telecom infrastructure, combining the strengths of each partner to advance the adoption of stablecoins in both retail and institutional sectors [2].

The venture seeks a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), which has indicated it will start approving applications in early 2026. However, industry observers expect the licensing process to be highly selective, with only a small number of applicants likely to succeed in the first round [3]. This suggests that the regulatory framework, which became effective on August 1, 2025, is designed to ensure stability and compliance in the nascent stablecoin market [7].

Evan Auyang of Animoca Brands stated the venture's goal is to integrate stablecoins into everyday financial activities, emphasizing the potential for widespread adoption if the licensing process is successful [6]. The collaboration brings together Standard Chartered’s global banking expertise, Animoca’s experience in blockchain and gaming, and HKT’s infrastructure capabilities, creating a well-rounded proposition for the Hong Kong market [4].

The move highlights a growing trend of partnerships between traditional financial institutions and blockchain-native firms, driven by the increasing role of stablecoins in global finance. Hong Kong’s regulatory approach offers a structured environment for innovation, supporting the city’s ambitions to become a regional hub for digital currency development [8]. By entering the stablecoin space early, Anchorpoint is positioned to shape the future of digital finance in the region.

Sources:

[1] AInvest (https://www.ainvest.com/news/standard-chartered-launches-hong-kong-hkd-backed-stablecoin-venture-2508/)

[2] Yahoo (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/standard-chartered-forms-joint-venture-051432710.html)

[3] Coindoo (https://coindoo.com/standard-chartered-animoca-and-hkt-target-hong-kongs-first-stablecoin-license/)

[4] Binance (https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/08-08-2025-animoca-brands-forms-joint-venture-for-stablecoin-development-in-hong-kong-28022893548314)

[7] Watcher (https://watcher.guru/news/standard-chartered-partners-with-animoca-to-target-hk-stablecoin-license)

[8] The Business Times (https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/pulse/article/7302399)