稳定币合规新纪元：香港稳定币监管的“立”与“破”

Group 1: Core Insights - The global stablecoin market has experienced explosive growth, with a total market value exceeding $250 billion by July 2025, dominated by USD-pegged stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which account for over 95% of the market share [1] - Hong Kong's government initiated a public consultation on a stablecoin regulatory framework in December 2023 to enhance its position as a financial hub and explore the potential of stablecoins [1] - The Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the Stablecoin Ordinance in May 2025, which will come into effect on August 1, 2025, integrating stablecoins into a comprehensive financial regulatory system [1][2] Group 2: Regulatory Framework - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released guidelines for licensed stablecoin issuers on July 29, 2025, focusing on compliance requirements to maintain financial stability and prevent money laundering risks [1][2] - The Stablecoin Ordinance defines stablecoins as digital assets based on distributed ledger technology, pegged to a single or basket of assets, and recognized as a medium of exchange [2][3] - The regulatory framework aims to balance financial innovation with systemic risk, requiring stablecoin issuers to establish a physical presence in Hong Kong and maintain high liquidity reserves [12][13] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The application scenarios for stablecoins have expanded from being mere trading tools in cryptocurrency markets to becoming core assets in decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), and cross-border payments [2][5] - The transition from purely algorithmic stablecoins to hybrid collateralized models reflects the need for stability and risk management in the market, as seen with the collapse of UST/LUNA [5][11] - Stablecoins are increasingly integrated into traditional financial systems, providing liquidity and low transaction costs, especially in emerging markets facing currency devaluation [5][11] Group 4: Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Measures - The guidelines for licensed stablecoin issuers include comprehensive AML/CFT frameworks, emphasizing risk assessment, customer due diligence, and transaction monitoring [13][20] - The guidelines require issuers to implement technology solutions for monitoring blockchain transactions and ensuring compliance with the Travel Rule for transparency in transfers [16][17] - Independent audits and assessments are encouraged to enhance compliance capabilities and market competitiveness for stablecoin issuers [19][20]