Group 1 - The U.S. House of Representatives has enough votes to advance cryptocurrency legislation, with ongoing voting during "Crypto Week" [1][2] - Key bills under consideration include the CLARITY Act, GENIUS Act, and CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, all supported by President Trump [2] - A procedural vote on Tuesday initially blocked three cryptocurrency bills, causing related stocks to decline [1][2] Group 2 - The failure of the bills was attributed to five Republican members who opposed the GENIUS Act due to concerns over CBDC regulations [2] - President Trump intervened to coordinate support among key lawmakers, leading to a reversal in voting positions [2] - Stocks related to cryptocurrency surged in the Hong Kong market, with Blue Ocean Interactive rising over 45% and New Fire Technology Holdings increasing nearly 8% [5]

Core Viewpoint - The development of digital assets, particularly stablecoins, is gaining significant attention in the market, with Hong Kong establishing a regulatory framework to promote financial innovation while ensuring safety [4][8]. Regulatory Framework - The "Stablecoin Ordinance" in Hong Kong will come into effect on August 1, marking the introduction of a licensing system for stablecoin issuers pegged to fiat currencies [4]. - This ordinance aims to enhance the regulatory framework for digital asset activities in Hong Kong, ensuring monetary and financial stability while reinforcing its status as an international financial center [4][8]. - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will begin accepting license applications following the ordinance's implementation, with specific guidelines being developed through market consultation [4][8]. Market Development and Applications - The Hong Kong government is focused on expanding the application scenarios for stablecoins, aiming to address real economic challenges and promote sustainable market development [5]. - The HKMA launched a "sandbox" for stablecoin issuers to experiment with applications in a controlled environment, facilitating innovation [5]. - The recent "Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Declaration 2.0" indicates the government's intention to explore stablecoins as a payment tool [5]. Public Education and Awareness - There is a need for enhanced public education regarding the differences between stablecoins, cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to mitigate risks of fraud and unlicensed operations [7]. - The government is committed to investor education to help the public understand the nuances of these digital assets [7]. Challenges and Future Outlook - While the new regulatory framework provides a foundation for stablecoin development, challenges remain, particularly in public trust, risk management, and alignment with international standards [8]. - The proactive approach of Hong Kong in balancing regulation and innovation positions it uniquely to address inefficiencies in cross-border payments [8].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that stablecoins may reshape the current cross-border payment landscape, which is based on correspondent banks and clearing houses, especially following recent regulatory developments in the US and Hong Kong [1][2] - The emergence of compliant stablecoins could allow cross-border payments to operate outside traditional bank account systems, utilizing token wallets on blockchain networks, thus offering advantages in processing time and cost [2][3] - Concerns are raised regarding the potential impact of stablecoins and CBDCs on traditional financial institutions, as the current correspondent banking model is perceived as "slow and expensive," failing to meet customer demands for speed and cost efficiency [2][3] Group 2 - Swift's platform currently ensures that over 90% of cross-border payments reach the recipient's bank within one hour, with half of those transactions completed within five minutes [3] - The costs associated with Swift's messaging service are relatively low, at one euro cent per message, but the perception of slowness and expense arises from various regulatory and operational challenges [3][4] - Future compliance requirements for stablecoins, such as KYC and AML, may introduce additional costs and complexities, potentially mirroring some of the existing challenges faced by traditional systems [3][4] Group 3 - Swift emphasizes its role in supporting any compliant currency or exchange form, including stablecoins and CBDCs, as it aims to enhance interoperability and prevent the formation of "digital islands" [4][5] - The connection between blockchain systems and traditional banking is identified as a key value area for Swift, facilitating the conversion of digital assets to fiat currencies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements [4][5] - Swift's ongoing experiments aim to address the fragmentation of global applications and enhance the adoption of digital assets, with a series of tests conducted to simulate transactions across different payment systems [6] Group 4 - Swift is integrating AI into its platform to tackle challenges in cross-border payments, including data privacy and regulatory differences, enhancing capabilities in fraud detection and compliance [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is set to implement the "Stablecoin Regulation" on August 1, which aims to enhance the regulatory framework for digital asset activities in Hong Kong, ensuring monetary and financial stability while reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international financial center [2][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The new regulation will allow HKMA to start accepting license applications for stablecoin issuers, with a high threshold for approval, expecting to issue only a limited number of licenses initially [3][4]. - The regulation is based on international guidelines provided by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) under the G20, focusing on managing inherent and spillover risks associated with stablecoins [3][4]. Group 2: Characteristics and Applications of Stablecoins - Stablecoins are viewed as payment tools rather than investment vehicles, lacking appreciation potential, and are expected to be used in various applications, including cross-border payments and supply chain finance [2][4]. - The applications of stablecoins can be categorized into two segments: business-to-business (B2B) for cross-border settlements and business-to-consumer (B2C) for payments and remittances [4][5]. Group 3: Compliance and Sustainability - Stablecoin issuers must demonstrate a comprehensive compliance plan, sufficient resources, and a viable business model to ensure sustainable operations [5][6]. - The HKMA plans to launch a "Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox" in 2024 to understand the business models of institutions planning to issue fiat-backed stablecoins in Hong Kong [5][6].