BTC $86,092 
ETH $2,712 
USDT $0.9999 
BNB $782.99 
XRP $1.51 
USDC $1.0000 
SOL $120.13 
TRX $0.3356 
FIGR_HELOC $1.03
ZEC $1,360 Hong Kong to Submit Crypto Licensing Bill by End of 2026
Hong Kong regulators will table an amendment bill by end-2026 to license four categories of crypto service providers.
Key takeaways
- Four crypto service types. The amendment bill will cover digital asset trading, custody, advisory and management services.
- First stablecoin licenses issued. The HKMA granted its first stablecoin issuer licenses to two firms in April 2026.
What happened
Hong Kong regulators have reaffirmed plans to submit an amendment bill to the Legislative Council before the end of 2026 to establish licensing regimes for four digital asset service categories. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui announced the timeline at an October 5 Legislative Council Finance Committee policy briefing. The four covered services are virtual asset dealing, custody, advisory and management.
Why it matters
The proposed licensing regimes will extend formal regulatory oversight to four previously unlicensed crypto service categories, aligning digital asset activity rules with existing securities and asset management requirements. The new bill will operate alongside existing SFC authorization requirements for crypto exchanges serving the local market.
What the data shows
Public engagement with the consultation process exceeded expectations. The dealing and custody consultation received more than 190 responses, while the advisory and management consultation drew 51 responses. As of April 2026, the HKMA has granted its first two stablecoin issuer licenses, and the SFC is set to launch a digital asset custody surveillance system in the second half of 2026.
Background
Hong Kong has already implemented partial crypto regulatory frameworks prior to this proposed bill. Crypto exchanges serving the local market are required to hold SFC authorization, and the SFC introduced stricter custody standards for licensed platforms in August 2025 covering cold wallets, withdrawals and cybersecurity controls. The Stablecoins Ordinance took effect on August 1, 2025, placing stablecoin issuance under HKMA oversight.
What is still unclear
- No start date for the four new licensing regimes has been announced, and exact application requirements, exemptions and timelines will depend on final bill text and subsequent regulatory guidance.
Questions readers ask
What crypto services will the new Hong Kong licensing bill cover?
The amendment bill will establish licensing regimes for four digital asset service categories: trading, custody, advisory and management. The rules will be modeled on existing securities and asset management regulatory requirements.
When will Hong Kong submit its crypto licensing amendment bill?
Hong Kong regulators have reaffirmed plans to submit the amendment bill to the Legislative Council before the end of 2026. The exact tabling date has not been announced.
Have any crypto-related licenses been granted in Hong Kong already?
Yes, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority granted its first stablecoin issuer licenses to Anchorpoint Financial and HSBC in April 2026. Crypto exchanges serving the local market already require SFC authorization.
