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Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin faces macroeconomic headwinds and the risk of an escalation in the Iran war. Photo: Shutterstock
Bitcoin

Iran, Fed, bonds: 3 reasons bitcoin is unlikely to hit US$100,000 this year

The cryptocurrency is unlikely to climb back above US$100,000 this year as risks remain from interest rate rises to an escalation in Iran.

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Cryptocurrency

Why did crypto operator Solana abruptly cancel a Shanghai event

Cryptocurrency

Can Hong Kong use US crypto bill failure to boost its digital asset hub role?

Hong Kong society

Why Chelsea football shirts are making Hong Kong fans nervous about crypto laws

Caught between their favourite football club and Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Ordinance, fans want to know if they can wear the tops openly.

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Chelsea signed a deal to feature the USDC stablecoin brand on its jerseys in late August. Photo: AP
Chelsea fans make some noise at the Hong Kong Football Festival last month. Photo: Elson Li
Banking & finance

Gotta monetise ’em all: inside Hong Kong’s red-hot Pokemon card trading market

Hong Kong has evolved into a global centre for the booming Pokemon card trading market, with rare collectibles traded via tokenised funds.

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Blockchain

Bitcoin tops US$80,000 for first time since May as US moves boost crypto

Washington’s buy-back efforts for US debt, cryptocurrency policy support credited for 25 per cent rally.

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Yuan

Open Questions | Top economist on how China should prep for dollar era’s end

Barry Eichengreen of the University of California, Berkeley, on US wobbles and how China and rest of the world can plan for a multipolar monetary system.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Illustration: Henry Wong
Banking & finance

Hong Kong stablecoin list expands with Standard Chartered-led firm’s launch

Anchorpoint Financial kicks off institutional use of its Hong Kong dollar-linked stablecoin, HKDAP.

Banking & finance

Meet the next generation of Chinese stars making their mark in global finance

New finance talent brings analytical discipline and cross-cultural fluency across global asset management, crypto and quant trading.

Cryptocurrency

Why Payward chose Hong Kong to be its Asian stablecoin gateway

By setting clear rules, Hong Kong is pushing to become the world’s safest launch pad for the digital currency.

Daren Guo (L), co-founder at Reap, and Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward and Kraken. Photo: Handout
Binance

UK investors sue Binance and founder Zhao Changpeng for US$200 million

Nearly 1,700 UK users have alleged that the world’s largest crypto exchange offered risky products without regulatory approval.

Binance founder and former CEO Zhao Changpeng. Photo: AFP
Binance founder and former CEO Zhao Changpeng. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Hong Kong taps group of experts to help rewrite rules for tokenised bonds

HKMA sets up the collective, spanning 21 institutions, in push to expand blockchain-based issuance beyond government pilots.

Banking & finance

Open Questions | Euro, yuan unlikely to match US dollar, Daniel Gros says

German economist doubts EU and Chinese currencies will be widely used for international trade or that stablecoins will take off outside the ‘shadow economy’.

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Fintech

How PayMe’s 3.3 million users and Hong Kong firms could start using stablecoins

HSBC eyes retail stablecoin roll-out via PayMe in second half of 2026, as Standard Chartered-led joint venture focuses on institutions first.

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HSBC is looking to introduce stablecoins by integrating them into its popular PayMe app. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Banking & finance

Calls grow for HKMA to go further on stablecoins after conservative first batch

Analysts and investors say the HKMA’s cautious approach prioritises risk control, but limits Hong Kong’s digital asset ambitions.

Analysts say the HKMA has prioritised risk management , even as it seeks to promote financial innovation through stablecoins. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Analysts say the HKMA has prioritised risk management , even as it seeks to promote financial innovation through stablecoins. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Fintech

HSBC, StanChart-led group among first to get stablecoin licences in Hong Kong

HSBC will launch its Hong Kong dollar stablecoin in the second half of this year, integrating it into its PayMe and mobile banking platforms.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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Cryptocurrency

Has Hong Kong laid the groundwork to become a world-leading crypto hub?

With its regulatory clarity and superconnector edge, the city is drawing global crypto firms as it emerges as a premier Web3 hub.

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Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
Fintech

Exclusive | HSBC, Standard Chartered tipped to win Hong Kong stablecoin licences in 2 weeks

The approvals would mark a milestone in Hong Kong’s push to regulate stablecoins while positioning itself as a global digital asset centre.

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Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong seeks to hone edge as offshore yuan hub, digital-asset front runner

Market participants largely welcome Paul Chan’s renewed push to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

Hong Kong’s renewed push to strengthen its position as an international financial centre has been welcomed. Photo: Felix Wong
Banking & finance

Hong Kong, UAE solidify financial links with regulatory ties, digital currency

Transaction volume under Project mBridge surged over 2,500-fold from the early 2022 pilot levels to more than US$55 billion by November 2025.

A view of the Dubai skyline in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Getty Images
A view of the Dubai skyline in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Getty Images
Cryptocurrency

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

Bitcoin prices drop as much as 3.2 per cent to US$66,604 on Tuesday, before paring the decline.

Fintech

Can Hong Kong lead a digital gold trading revolution with blockchain innovation?

Beyond banks, asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms are racing to launch innovative tokenised gold products for investors.

Bitcoin

Crypto rout set to deepen as Standard Chartered warns of further downside risks

Bank expects a ‘price capitulation in the next few months’ before recovering for the rest of the year.

A bitcoin ATM in San Rafael, California. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
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