June 18, 2025
By Anjali Kochhar
Hong Kong is setting the stage for its next big leap in the digital economy. With its second policy statement on digital assets expected this June, the city aims to solidify its position as a global crypto and fintech hub. Financial Secretary Paul Chan has revealed that the upcoming statement will focus on integrating financial services with innovation, pushing for real-world adoption of digital assets across multiple sectors.
This move comes at a critical time. With global crypto regulation tightening and major financial centers like Singapore and Dubai ramping up their digital strategies, Hong Kong is taking proactive steps to stay ahead. At recent financial forums, Chan emphasised the importance of embedding digital assets into traditional finance, from payments and settlements to cross-border trade and asset management.
The second policy statement builds on momentum from Hong Kong’s 2022 digital asset push, which saw the introduction of licensing regimes for crypto exchanges and the approval of digital asset ETFs. Since then, the city has rolled out pilot programs for stablecoins, launched the e-HKD sandbox for central bank digital currency testing, and granted licenses to crypto trading platforms.
One of the most significant recent developments is the passage of Hong Kong’s stablecoin law in May 2025. This new framework requires firms issuing fiat-backed tokens to obtain licenses, offering much-needed regulatory clarity and setting a precedent in the global financial landscape. Alongside this, the second phase of the e-HKD+ pilot involves major banks and fintech firms testing programmable payments and offline transactions real-world experiments that could shape the future of digital money.
This new phase is more than just policy evolution. It reflects a deep commitment to building the infrastructure needed to connect traditional finance with Web3 innovations. By anchoring digital assets to practical use cases, Hong Kong is sending a clear signal: innovation here is not just theoretical, it’s actionable.
As the second policy statement nears, all eyes are on how Hong Kong will turn ambition into execution. The city is not just rewriting financial rules it’s laying down the tracks for a digital-first economy that blends trust, regulation, and transformation.
About the author
Anjali Kochhar covers cryptocurrency and blockchain stories in India as well as globally. Having been in the field of media and journalism for over four years now, she has developed a sharp news sense and works hard to present information that goes beyond the obvious. She is an avid reader and loves writing on a wide range of subjects.
