Hong Kong Launches Digital Asset Licensing System and Policies – Coincu

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced a new licensing system for digital asset trading platforms and stablecoins at the 2025 Caixin Summer Summit in the city.

This move marks a significant step in integrating financial services with innovation, poised to attract more institutional capital to Hong Kong.

Regulatory Overhaul Boosts Institutional Interest in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s financial leaders have introduced comprehensive regulatory measures for digital assets, emphasizing integration with traditional financial services. This includes a licensing system for trading platforms and stablecoins, along with regulatory arrangements for custody and over-the-counter trading.

Immediate changes are expected as the new system aims to attract institutional investors by providing a secure and regulated environment. The upcoming policy declaration is set to further expand the scope of digital asset applications.

“Hong Kong has already launched a licensing system for digital asset trading platforms and a licensing system for stablecoins. Regulatory arrangements for custody and over-the-counter trading are being advanced. This month, we will publish the second policy declaration regarding the development of digital assets in Hong Kong, focusing on the integration of financial services and innovation, and expanding the application scenarios of digital assets.” — Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Market reactions have been positive, with analysts believing it will bolster Hong Kong’s standing as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction. Julia Leung, CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, highlighted the systemic upgrade at the summit as pivotal for the region’s growth in fintech.

Bitcoin’s Market Role Amid Regulatory Changes

Did you know? Hong Kong’s 2023-2024 digital asset guidelines spurred a surge in applications for virtual asset service providers, setting a precedent for accelerated growth in regulated crypto exchanges.

As of June 13, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) is currently priced at $105,758.58 with a market cap of $2.10 trillion, as per CoinMarketCap. Its 24-hour trading volume reached $70.17 billion, showing a 25.92% change. Recent price changes include -0.39% over 24 hours and a significant increase of 25.34% over 90 days. BTC maintains a market dominance of 63.85%.

Insights from the Coincu research team suggest that Hong Kong’s regulatory advances are likely to draw institutional investors seeking stable trading environments. The move could also encourage local crypto projects to blossom under these new frameworks, enriching the region’s fintech ecosystem.