HUAXI Securities·2025-07-14 02:49Investment Rating - Industry Rating: Recommended [6] Core Insights - The passing of the US "GENIUS Act" and Hong Kong's "Stablecoin Ordinance" marks a significant milestone in the recognition of stablecoins, potentially transforming virtual assets into key components of financial infrastructure [2][19] - Stablecoins are expected to bridge the gap between digital finance and traditional finance, enhancing their acceptance by regulatory bodies due to their stable value and payment attributes [2][12] - The total market capitalization of stablecoins exceeded $269 billion as of July 12, 2025, with over 90% being USD-pegged stablecoins [17] Regulatory Framework - The US "GENIUS Act" requires stablecoin issuers to hold 1:1 cash or treasury reserves and grants the Federal Reserve emergency stop authority to prevent systemic risks [20] - Hong Kong's "Stablecoin Ordinance" establishes a licensing system for stablecoin issuers, mandating sufficient reserves and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations [22][23] - The European Union's MiCA regulation, effective from December 30, 2024, also aims to regulate stablecoins, focusing on consumer protection and market integrity [19][21] Stablecoin Characteristics - Stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies, balancing openness and stability, unlike Bitcoin which is highly volatile [3][12] - They are designed to function as a payment tool, with lower transaction costs and faster settlement times compared to traditional payment systems [17][23] - The stablecoin ecosystem includes issuers, exchanges, and application scenarios, supported by reserve banks and compliance service providers [25][26] Market Opportunities - The implementation of the "Stablecoin Ordinance" is expected to boost the development of stablecoin issuance, trading, and cross-border payments in Hong Kong, positioning it as a global virtual asset hub [8][23] - Companies like ZA Bank are poised to benefit from the stablecoin ecosystem by providing reserve banking services [26][28] - The regulatory environment in Hong Kong is conducive for local securities firms to expand their services into the virtual asset space, creating new growth opportunities [31][32]