Partnering with key allies, Standard Chartered initiates Anchorpoint to submit an application for a stablecoin issuer authorization in Hong Kong.
On August 1, 2025, Anchorpoint Financial Limited, a joint venture between Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT), formally applied for a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong[1][2][3][5]. The application coincided with the day Hong Kong's new Stablecoins Ordinance came into effect.
Anchorpoint Financial is a joint venture created with the aim of building a regulated stablecoin ecosystem that bridges traditional finance and blockchain technology[1][2][3][4][5]. Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) plays a central role in this joint venture, leveraging its financial regulation experience to lead the consortium alongside Animoca Brands and HKT in the application and development of licensed stablecoins.
Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong's role includes bringing extensive banking expertise and regulatory compliance capacity to the project, supporting the vision to introduce an innovative, efficient, and secure medium of exchange in Hong Kong. The bank also aims to facilitate transactional convenience and broaden digital asset adoption, contributing to Hong Kong’s ambition to become a leading digital asset hub[2][3][5].
Mary Huen, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, expressed enthusiasm about Anchorpoint Financial Limited, stating the bank's dedication to supporting Hong Kong as an international financial center and digital asset hub through this initiative[2][3][5].
The establishment of Anchorpoint Financial Limited is another milestone in Standard Chartered (Hong Kong) Limited's journey in accelerating the development of digital assets in Hong Kong. The joint venture was formed as a result of their participation in the HKMA Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox in July 2024, where they, along with Animoca Brands and HKT, explored how stablecoins can bridge Web3 and traditional finance[1][2][3][4].
The HKMA Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox aimed to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a global digital assets hub by exploring the role of stablecoins in the development of financial markets and payments. Anchorpoint Financial Limited plans to focus on the issuance and advancement of licensed stablecoins, believing that stablecoins will play an important role in building a sustainable digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong[1][2][3][4].
The Stablecoins Ordinance, the regulatory framework under which the HKMA will consider applications for stablecoin issuer licenses, came into effect on 1 August 2025[1][3][5]. If approved, Anchorpoint Financial Limited plans to facilitate transaction convenience and broaden the usage of digital assets, further cementing Hong Kong's position as a leading digital asset hub.
[1] South China Morning Post. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and HKT form joint venture for Hong Kong stablecoin issuance. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3179229/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and HKT apply for Hong Kong stablecoin issuer license. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-apply-hong-kong-stablecoin-issuer-license-2025-08-01/
[3] Bloomberg. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and HKT Form Joint Venture for Hong Kong Stablecoin Issuance. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-01/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture-for
[4] Cointelegraph. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and HKT form joint venture for Hong Kong stablecoin issuance. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/news/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture-for-hong-kong-stablecoin-issuance
[5] Financial Times. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT form joint venture for Hong Kong stablecoin issuance. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/7e48558a-0e5a-4448-8c81-f40fb905970f
- After the formal application for a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong, Anchorpoint Financial Limited, a joint venture between Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT), aims to leverage finance and technology to build a regulated stablecoin ecosystem, bridging traditional finance and blockchain technology. (Reference: ffnews.com, finance, technology)
- The banking expertise and regulatory compliance capacity of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) will be instrumental in the joint venture's project, as they aim to introduce an innovative, efficient, and secure medium of exchange, boosting Hong Kong's ambition to become a leading digital asset hub. (Reference: finance, technology)
