StanChart sets up JV in Hong Kong to apply for stablecoin issuer licence

SCBHK, Animoca Brands, and HKT earlier participated in Hong Kong’s stablecoin issuer sandbox.

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) has established Anchorpoint Financial Limited, a joint venture in Hong Kong, to apply for a stablecoin issuer licence.

Established together with Animoca Brands, and HKT, the joint venture aims to build a business model focused on the issuance and advancement of licensed stablecoins.

Anchorpoint has indicated formal interest with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) in applying for a stablecoin issuer licence on 1 August 2025.

“We believe stablecoins will play an important role in building a sustainable digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong and are dedicated to playing a role in supporting Hong Kong as an international financial centre and digital assets hub,” said Mary Huen, CEO, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, Standard Chartered.

SCBHK, Animoca Brands and HKT jointly participated in the HKMA Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox. Launched in July 2024, it aimed to explore how stablecoins can play a key role in the development of financial markets and payments by bridging Web3 and traditional finance.

The establishment of Anchorpoint marks another milestone of SCBHK’s journey in accelerating the development of digital assets in Hong Kong.