Hong Kong reaffirms end-2026 deadline for crypto licensing bill

Hong Kong officials have reiterated plans to submit an amendment bill by the end of 2026 to create a licensing framework for digital asset trading, custody, advisory, and management services. Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said the proposal is intended to reflect ongoing developments in financial technology. The government first outlined the broader regulatory timeline in January, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has already begun handling stablecoin issuer applications. The move follows earlier steps by regulators, including the April licensing of the first stablecoin issuers, as Hong Kong continues building out its digital asset oversight regime.