Hong Kong has issued its first stablecoin issuer licenses under a newregulatory framework overseen by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.SingaporeSummit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The regulator announced the initial batch of approvals on Friday (today).It said this marks the first licenses issued under its stablecoin regime. Twoentities were approved. They are Anchorpoint Financial and HSBC.HSBC,Anchorpoint Get First LicensesAnchorpoint Financial is a joint venture. It was formed by StandardChartered Bank in Hong Kong, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecommunications.It focuses on digital asset infrastructure linked to regulated financialservices.HSBC’s Hong Kong entity, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking CorporationLimited, is one of the city’s three note-issuing banks. It is among the largestbanking institutions in Hong Kong.The approvals indicate a cautious start to the licensing process.Regulators appear to be prioritizing bank-linked and institution-backed issuersin the early phase of the regime.The announcement follows weeks of market speculation over potentiallicensees. It also follows a delay to earlier expectations. HKMA ChiefExecutive Eddie Yue said in February that “a very small number of issuers wouldbe licensed in March.” That timeline was not met before the first approvalswere issued.Hong Kong grants first stablecoin licences to StanChart joint venture and HSBC https://t.co/IoY0a2VPvH— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) April 10, 2026StablecoinInfrastructure Expands in Hong KongSeparately, EX.IO signed a memorandum of understanding with Payment Asia.The two companies said they will explore stablecoin-related payments, custody,trading, and application use cases in Hong Kong. They said the aim is tosupport infrastructure for regulated stablecoin issuers and promote real-worldadoption once the framework is implemented.Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime took effect on August 1, 2025. It requiresissuers of fiat-referenced stablecoins to obtain a license from the Hong KongMonetary Authority. The framework includes requirements on reserve backing,redemption rights, governance standards, and anti-money laundering controls.This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.