First batch to launch regulated HKD stablecoin - HKDAP to unlock its full potential as a new form of settlement‍

‍Anchorpoint Financial Limited (“Anchorpoint”), a joint venture established by Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“SCBHK”), HKT and Animoca Brands, today was one of two being granted a stablecoin issuer licence by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”), under the Stablecoins Ordinance that came into effect 1 August 2025. Anchorpoint targets to issue the regulated Hong Kong Dollar-backed stablecoins – HKDAP (i.e. HKD At Par) with a phased approach from the second quarter of this year.

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To promote an open and inclusive digital asset ecosystem, Anchorpoint is going to adopt a business-to-business-to-consumer (“B2B2C”) model. This approach will allow the company to leverage the extensive client bases of selected authorised distributors to enable public access to HKDAP. In addition, Anchorpoint will offer incentives to early adoption partners who are developing real-world use cases that provide tangible benefits to the broader economy across the region and promote the accessibility and acceptance of HKDAP.

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Furthermore, Anchorpoint is keen on co-developing innovative use cases that facilitate the settlement and distribution of tokenised real-world assets. The company is also focused on solutions that enable cross-border capital and payment flows through stablecoins. These use cases hold significant potential across Hong Kong and Asia and are expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the journey of settlements and transfer of value in the future.

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Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered, said, “At Standard Chartered, we are committed to embracing innovation and see ourselves as a vital link between clients and financial markets, offering institutional-grade access to digital assets in a secure and regulated manner. The issuance of HKDAP by Anchorpoint provides a powerful regulated medium of exchange that will further the rewiring of our financial markets and help promote the next generation of international trade. By combining Hong Kong’s regulatory rigor with the efficiency of public blockchain technology, we are moving closer to a world where assets are natively digital, transparent and settled instantaneously. This licence reinforces our role in shaping the future of digital assets.”

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Mary Huen, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, Standard Chartered, said, “As its largest shareholder, Standard Chartered is truly honoured that Anchorpoint is among the first institutions to receive a stablecoin issuer licence from the HKMA. This breakthrough not only unveils a new chapter for Hong Kong in advancing its digital assets ecosystem but also underscores our long‑standing commitment to innovation. It brings together our deep heritage as Hong Kong’s oldest note-issuing bank with our strong global track record in digital assets development. We are excited to usher in this new era and propelling the evolution of the financial ecosystem alongside our strategic partners.”

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Dominic Maffei, Chief Executive Officer, Anchorpoint, said, “At Anchorpoint, we focus on empowering the ecosystem with a secure, accessible and regulated form of tokenised money that can be used to rethink how financial transactions are conducted and how new infrastructure can be powered to provide real benefit to institutions and individuals. We believe that we are at a point in time where finance and money are being reimagined and are proud to be able to play a pioneering role in this exciting development along with our regulators and our partners.”

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SCBHK, HKT and Animoca Brands began exploring stablecoins as one of the forms of tokenised money in early 2023 and were then officially admitted as one of the participants in HKMA’s Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox in 2024. This forms a strong foundation for the establishment of Anchorpoint in 2025 which focuses on the future of money and tokenisation. With the vision to foster the digital assets ecosystem, Anchorpoint is committed to supporting the build out of industry players’ digital asset capabilities and businesses in Hong Kong, hence contributing to the city’s aspirations to be a global digital asset hub.

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Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

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Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

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The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

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For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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Anchorpoint‍

Anchorpoint Financial Limited is a subsidiary of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (SCBHK) and a joint venture established by SCBHK, HKT, and Animoca Brands in February 2025. With the vision of utilising tokenised money to rewire and supplement existing financial infrastructure for the betterment of the real economy, the initial goal is to build and advance the regulated HKD stablecoin “HKDAP” to serve as a secure tokenised medium of exchange for digital economy and to facilitate international payments and capital flows. It is one of the first entities granted with a stablecoin issuer licence by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority under the Stablecoins Ordinance in April 2026.