Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered, and HKT Launch Hong Kong Dollar Stablecoin Venture Through Anchorpoint Financial Amid New HK Stablecoin Regulations

Hong Kong is stepping up its push to become a leading global hub for digital assets as Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered (HKG: 2888), and Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) jointly announced the formation of Anchorpoint Financial Limited.

The new venture intends to issue a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin and has applied for a license under Hong Kong’s newly enacted Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect on August 1, 2025.

Formation of Anchorpoint Financial Limited: A Strategic Partnership

Anchorpoint Financial Limited brings together three industry leaders:

• Animoca Brands: A pioneer in blockchain gaming and Web3, providing deep expertise in digital assets and innovative decentralized applications.

• Standard Chartered: A global banking giant offering robust financial infrastructure, regulatory experience, and international banking networks.

• HKT: A leading telecommunications provider in Hong Kong, delivering strong local market presence and extensive customer reach.

By combining these complementary strengths, the joint venture aims to issue a regulated Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin, tapping into the expanding global stablecoin market.

Since July 2024, they have been key participants in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s stablecoin issuer sandbox. Through this collaboration, they have explored how stablecoins can effectively bridge Web3 and traditional finance, playing a vital role in advancing financial markets and payment systems.

Bill Winters, Group CEO of Standard Chartered, emphasized the growing importance of digital assets and tokenized money in the industry, noting that "digital assets are here to stay," highlighting the bank's active involvement in central bank digital currencies and stablecoin projects.

From Animoca Brands, Group President Evan Auyang reinforced the significance of stablecoins within Web3, saying, “Stablecoins represent one of the most compelling use cases within Web3, and we believe we are still at the early frontier of widespread adoption across institutions and retail alike.”

HKT’s Group Managing Director, Susanna Hui, added that issuing an HKD-linked stablecoin will “enhance payment efficiency, streamline transactions, and provide greater security and transparency,” leveraging Web3 innovations to benefit the wider retail sector.

As Anchorpoint progresses through the licensing process, it could set a precedent for other stablecoin issuers, reinforcing Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the global digital asset market.