稳定币牌照申请指南！首批仅发数张，机构预测蚂蚁将入围

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong's "Stablecoin Regulation" will officially take effect on August 1, with the issuance of stablecoin licenses imminent, establishing a robust regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers and enhancing market credibility [1][3]. Regulatory Framework - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has held technical briefings and released documents regarding the stablecoin issuer regulatory system, which will be implemented on August 1, 2025 [1][3]. - The regulatory guidelines include the "Licensed Stablecoin Issuer Regulatory Guidelines" and "Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Guidelines" [3]. - The HKMA encourages interested institutions to contact them by August 31, 2025, to understand regulatory expectations and improve application efficiency [3]. License Issuance - As of July 29, no licenses have been issued, and the HKMA plans to publish the list of licensed stablecoin issuers on its website [4]. - The initial phase will see only a few licenses granted, with a focus on specific use cases such as cross-border trade [5][7]. Market Participants - Several institutions, including Ant Group and JD.com, are predicted to be among the first to receive licenses due to their blockchain technology expertise and application scenarios [2]. - The HKMA has received interest from dozens of institutions, but many lack concrete application scenarios and risk management capabilities [6]. Sandbox Testing - The HKMA will launch a "Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox" in March 2024 to provide a controlled testing environment for institutions planning to issue stablecoins [6]. - The first batch of sandbox participants includes five institutions, including two blockchain technology companies [6]. Virtual Asset Regulation - Hong Kong is actively building a global virtual asset center and exploring the application of offshore RMB (CNH) stablecoins [8]. - The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has released a regulatory roadmap for virtual assets, aiming to balance innovation and risk management [8]. Brokerage Developments - Chinese brokerage firms are rapidly entering the virtual asset trading service sector, with several obtaining relevant licenses from the SFC [9]. - The approval of these licenses is seen as a significant signal of Chinese banks entering the virtual asset market [9].