Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong arm has teamed up with blockchain gaming and digital property pioneer Animoca Brands and leading telecom operator HKT to establish a new joint venture called Anchorpoint Financial. The consortium has formally applied to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) for a licence to issue fiat-referenced stablecoins under the region’s recently enacted regulatory regime.
Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Bill, which passed in May and took effect on August 1, 2025, sets out clear licensing requirements and prudential safeguards for issuers of stablecoins pegged to legal tender currencies. The legislation aims to position Hong Kong as a global hub for compliant, secure digital asset issuance amid growing demand for programmable money in decentralized finance and cross-border trade.
Anchorpoint Financial will leverage Standard Chartered’s banking expertise and compliance infrastructure, Animoca’s technical platform and blockchain experience, and HKT’s extensive telecommunications network to deliver a stablecoin product designed for institutional and retail use cases. The venture plans to issue AnchorUSD, a U.S. dollar-backed token, with audited reserve holdings and real-time transparency features.
In its licence application, Anchorpoint highlighted proposed controls including on-chain audit mechanisms, robust cybersecurity protocols, and legal recourse provisions for token holders. The HKMA has indicated it expects to grant the first stablecoin issuer licences by early 2026, following a thorough review of risk management frameworks and capital requirements.
Industry observers note that the collaboration represents a convergence of traditional banking, telecom infrastructure, and blockchain innovation. “This partnership brings together the trust of regulated financial institutions with the agility of Web3 technologists,” said an Anchorpoint spokesperson. “It demonstrates Hong Kong’s commitment to fostering responsible stablecoin ecosystems.”
Market participants anticipate that AnchorUSD could facilitate faster, lower-cost cross-border payments, support programmable smart contracts in trade finance, and integrate with decentralized applications. Competitors include existing global stablecoins and emerging offerings from regional banks in the Asia-Pacific.
The venture underscores a broader trend of incumbent financial entities embracing tokenization under clear regulatory oversight. As authorities worldwide refine stablecoin legislation, coordinated ventures like Anchorpoint may set benchmarks for transparency, adherence to reserve requirements, and consumer protection in the digital currency space.
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