Core Viewpoint - Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters believes that all global transactions will eventually settle on blockchains and that all money will be digital, indicating a significant shift in the financial system [1][2]. Group 1: Transition to Blockchain - Winters described the anticipated transition as a fundamental restructuring of the financial system, although the exact process of this transformation remains uncertain [2]. - HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery expressed optimism about Hong Kong's fintech future, highlighting the city's leadership in digital asset regulation and support for blockchain experimentation [3]. Group 2: Stablecoin Initiatives - Standard Chartered announced a joint venture with Animoca Brands and HKT in February 2025 to pursue a license for issuing an HKD-backed stablecoin, combining the bank's financial infrastructure with Web3 expertise and mobile wallet capabilities [4]. - The bank participated in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's stablecoin issuer sandbox, which launched in July 2024 [4]. - Multiple institutions are competing to build payment settlement networks through stablecoin initiatives, indicating a competitive landscape in this area [5]. Group 3: Digital Asset Services - Standard Chartered launched an integrated spot trading service for Bitcoin and Ether in July 2025 for institutional clients, offering trading pairs for these digital assets [6]. - The bank has expanded its digital asset offerings through partnerships, including institutional crypto custody services with OKX in Europe [6]. Group 4: Regulatory Environment - Hong Kong regulators have established multiple sandbox programs and regulatory frameworks to position the city as a global digital asset hub, supporting blockchain innovation through licensing regimes and pilot programs for financial institutions [7].

Core Viewpoint - BlackRock is significantly increasing its involvement in the stablecoin market by retooling one of its money market funds to serve U.S. stablecoin issuers, aligning with the recently passed GENIUS Act [1][3]. Group 1: Fund Adjustments - The BlackRock Select Treasury Based Liquidity Fund (BSTBL) will eliminate agency investments, reduce the maturity of U.S. Treasury investments, and include overnight repurchase agreements as eligible assets to comply with GENIUS and enhance liquidity for stablecoin issuers [2]. - This strategic adjustment positions the fund as a compliant and liquid reserve asset for stablecoin issuers [2]. Group 2: Market Demand and Positioning - There is a growing demand from stablecoin issuers for reserve management options following the passage of the GENIUS Act, indicating a shift in the market landscape [3]. - BlackRock aims to establish itself as a preferred reserve asset manager within the digital payments ecosystem, reflecting its commitment to the evolving financial technology landscape [3]. Group 3: Financial Milestones - BlackRock's cash management business has reached a significant milestone, surpassing $1 trillion in assets under management for the first time [4]. - The firm has also achieved notable success with its spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which are currently the largest trading products on Wall Street [4]. Group 4: Previous Investments and Future Plans - BlackRock previously led a $400 million funding round for Circle, the issuer of USDC, positioning itself as a primary holder of Circle's reserves [4]. - The company's CEO, Larry Fink, has indicated that BlackRock is developing technology to tokenize various traditional assets, emphasizing the need for rapid advancement in this area [5].