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A leading payments industry news source for more than 17 years. Glenbrook curates the news and keeps you abreast of the important daily headlines in payments.
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November 3, 2025
On the web
Tokenization Takes Prime Role in Hong Kong’s Fintech 2030 Strategy
Trading View
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is seeking to grow the tokenization ecosystem as part of its four-pronged growth strategy for its fintech sector over the next five years. In a statement on Wednesday during Hong Kong Fintech Week, HKMA said its Fintech 2030 strategy will focus “on four strategic pillars” referred to as “DART,” covering data, artificial intelligence, resilience and tokenization across 40 initiatives."
July 30, 2025
On the web
Hong Kong Rules Require Identity of Every Stablecoin Holder
Ledger Insights
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published several documents relating to the new stablecoin regulations which become effective on 1 August 2025. The regulator had warned that the anti money laundering (AML) requirements would be strict, and they are. Most of the AML document reads as expected, but one particular clause effectively requires the stablecoin issuer to identify every stablecoin holder."
June 12, 2025
On the web
Visa, Chainlink Successfully Complete CBDC, Stablecoin Swap Between Hong Kong, Australia
CryptoSlate
"Visa and Chainlink have completed a key milestone in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) e-HKD+ Pilot Programme, successfully testing a cross-border blockchain transaction using central bank digital currency (CBDC) and stablecoins. The trial, conducted in partnership with ANZ, ChinaAMC, and Fidelity International, is one of the first real-world simulations of programmable money being used for cross-border investment in tokenized assets."
May 28, 2025
On the web
Visa Brings Click to Pay to Hong Kong with ZA Bank
IBS Intelligence
"Visa has announced the official rollout of Click to Pay in partnership with ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s first and largest virtual bank. This launch makes ZA Bank the first card issuer across Asia Pacific to enable the Visa Click to Pay solution, with further expansion planned in 11 additional regional markets."
May 22, 2025
On the web
Hong Kong Passes Stablecoin Legislation
Ledger Insights
"Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed the Stablecoin Bill for fiat-referenced stablecoins. The legislation is expected to come into force later this year and is seen as a key pillar in Hong Kong’s desire to maintain and enhance its position as an international financial center."
On the wires
Ant International Launches Tokenised Deposit Solutions for Real-Time Treasury Management with HSBC
Business Wire
"Ant International announced its collaboration with HSBC on the bank’s new Tokenised Deposit Service in Hong Kong. The service will support treasury management with real-time, always-on HKD and USD payments between corporate wallets held by a corporate client at HSBC Hong Kong. The Tokenised Deposit Service is also the first bank-led, blockchain-based settlement service in Hong Kong."
April 22, 2025
On the web
Digital Wallets Poised To Overtake Credit Cards in Hong Kong by 2030: Report
South China Morning Post
"A survey found that 42 per cent of Hongkongers use Alipay and 22 per cent use Apple Pay, but credit cards are likely to remain relevant"
February 18, 2025
On the wires
Standard Chartered, HKT, Animoca to Form JV for HK Dollar-Backed Stablecoin
Reuters
"Standard Chartered Plc said its Hong Kong banking division, Animoca Brands and HKT will establish a joint venture to apply for a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for issuance of a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin."
January 14, 2025
On the web
Hong Kong FPS to Enable Small Cross-Border Payments with Mainland China by Mid-2025
Fintech Hong Kong
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced plans to connect the Hong Kong FPS with mainland China’s Internet Banking Payment System (IBPS) this year, enabling small cross-border transactions using mobile phone numbers."
November 18, 2024
On the wires
Hang Seng Bank Unveils Newly Renovated Hong Kong Main Branch with the Debut of the Market-New 'Come to You' Service Concept
PR Newswire
Hang Seng Bank unveiled the newly renovated Hong Kong Main Branch in Central with the launch of Future Banking 2.0 – a bold transformation that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology with personalised customer service.
October 25, 2024
On the web
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Launches Developer Platform for Data Sharing Initiative
Open Banking Expo
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has launched a developer platform in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), as part of its Interbank Account Data Sharing (IADS) initiative."
October 21, 2024
On the web
Aigens [Hong Kong] Integrates Adyen for Platforms to Transform Food and Beverage Sector
Adyen
"Adyen announced its partnership with Aigens, a Hong Kong-based food and beverage (F&B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider. Through this collaboration, Aigens incorporates Adyen’s payment capabilities in its Aigens Pay offering, helping restaurants in Hong Kong and Singapore optimize their front- and back-of-house operations with a single omnichannel solution."
October 3, 2024
On the wires
Worldline Partners With Bochk to Launch Open Platform Card Solution in Hong Kong
PR News Wire
"Worldline announced a partnership with the Bank of China (Hong Kong), making it Worldline's first customer of its open platform card solution Paysuite Essential Edition (Previously named Cardlite) in Hong Kong."
September 23, 2024
On the web
HKMA Commences Phase 2 of E-hkd Pilot Programme and Expands Project E-HKD to Explore New Forms of Digital Money
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority commenced Phase 2 of the e-HKD Pilot Programme (Phase 2) to delve deeper into innovative use cases for new forms of digital money, including e-HKD and tokenised deposits, that can potentially be used by individuals and corporates."
September 6, 2024
On the web
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Launches Project Ensemble Sandbox to Advance Tokenization and Digital Finance
The Tokenizer
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has officially launched the Project Ensemble Sandbox, a groundbreaking initiative to advance the tokenization of assets in Hong Kong. This project is a key element of Project Ensemble, HKMA’s wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) venture, aimed at supporting the development of the tokenization market."
August 26, 2024
On the web
HKMA and Government to Enhance Financial Data Sharing with CDI-CDEG Linkage
Fintech Hong Kong
"The linkage between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) and the Hong Kong Government’s Consented Data Exchange Gateway (CDEG) is now fully operational. Banks can now directly access company information, such as names, registered addresses, facilitating processes like account opening, fraud detection, and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures."
August 14, 2024
On the web
Hong Kong Central Bank Launches Gen AI Sandbox
Asian Banking & Finance
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has collaborated with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company to launch a generative AI sandbox. Banks are encouraged to make full use of this resource to unlock the power of GenA.I. in enhancing effective risk management, anti-fraud efforts and customer experience.”
July 31, 2024
On the web
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Proposes Rules for 'Fiat-Referenced' Stablecoins
Decrypt
"The proposed rules would require a physical presence in Hong Kong, reserves to be kept at Hong Kong banks, and prohibit paying interest to holders."
July 19, 2024
On the web
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox Participants
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced participants of the stablecoin issuer sandbox: JINGDONG Coinlink Technology Hong Kong Limited, RD InnoTech Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Animoca Brands Limited, Hong Kong Telecommunications Limited."
July 17, 2024
On the web
Consultation Conclusions for Legislative Proposal to Implement Regulatory Regime for Stablecoin Issuers in Hong Kong Released
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
"The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority jointly issued the consultation conclusions on the legislative proposal to implement a regulatory regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong. The proposed regulatory requirements and implementation arrangements received general support from respondents, with some further enhancements suggested in the submissions."
June 6, 2024
On the web
Project mBridge Reaches MVP Stage
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
"The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, together with the rest of the mBridge project team, announced that Project mBridge has reached the Minimum Viable Product stage. Project mBridge aims to study how central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and innovative solutions can be applied to solve the key pain points in cross-border payments."
May 7, 2024
On the wires
InComm Payments Launches Roblox Gift Cards in Hong Kong
PR Newswire
"InComm Payments announced it is launching gift cards for Roblox, the online immersive platform where millions of people connect and communicate daily, at online and physical retailers in Hong Kong."
April 26, 2024
On the wires
Alipay+ Enables Digital Payment of 14 Overseas E-wallets from 9 Countries and Regions in Hong Kong to Support City’s Global Travel Drive
Business Wire
"In support of Hong Kong's new mega tourism and commerce drive, Alipay+ now enables users of 14 leading overseas mobile wallets and bank apps from 9 countries and regions to make seamless payment in Hong Kong from their home apps. This represents the largest number of international payment apps introduced at the city’s offline commercial network through cross-border cooperation at one time."
March 7, 2024
On the web
Hong Kong’s Central Bank Announces New Wholesale CBDC Project to Support Tokenization Market
Coindesk
"Project Ensemble will "seek to explore innovative financial market infrastructure (FMI) that will facilitate seamless interbank settlement of tokenized money," HKMA said."
January 30, 2024
On the web
Hong Kong to Expand e-CNY Pilot
Finance Asia
"HKMA and the PBOC announced further support for the expansion of use cases of the digital yuan in Hong Kong, targeting local consumers and travellers."
January 22, 2024
On the web
The Cheque’s End Is Nigh: Hong Kong’s Banks Set Road Map to Phase Out Paper Payment in Their Embrace of E-payments
South China Morning Post
"The Hong Kong Association of Banks will consider the future of cheques as a payment method amid a 34 per cent decline in their use over the past five years."
December 7, 2023
On the web
Reserve Bank of India Opens Talks With US, Hong Kong for Cross-Border CBDC Features
CoinGeek
"The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has started discussions with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the U.S. Federal Reserve, and the international payment platform SWIFT to explore cross-border payments for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)."
December 4, 2023
On the wires
Thailand, Hong Kong Launch Cross-Border QR Payments
Reuters
"Thailand's central bank and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on Monday launched a link for cross-border QR payments, they said in a joint statement."
November 2, 2023
On the web
Hong Kong Leading the Charge on Digital Currency After Pilot
Electronic Payments International
"Hong Kong's Monetary Authority recently released a report into its e-HKD pilot, and the results are promising."
September 26, 2023
On the web
mBridge CBDC Project Nearing Commercialization
Blockworks
"Eddie Yue, the CEO of Hong Kong’s central bank, expects that the mBridge CBDC project will gradually transition to commercialization. In a keynote speech at the 2023 Bund Summit, he detailed plans for the platform, which China, Thailand, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates are jointly developing in partnership with the Bank of International Settlements."
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