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Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency
News and analysis about non-fiat, decentralised assets used as digital currencies, including bitcoin, ether, altcoins and stablecoins.
Waves crash on Kalim beach in Phuket. The suspect was arrested from a luxury resort on the Thai island. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand

Thailand to extradite Indonesian man in US$10 million scam targeting Americans

The suspect allegedly hired models to lure targets into phoney investment schemes over video calls, dating apps and social media.

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Yuan

Open Questions | Why China’s yuan faces the same ‘illusions’ that stalled the euro: Daniel Gros

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Hong Kong courts

Ex-manager of crypto firm Huobi acquitted of moving millions into account

Investing

Chinese economist Fu Peng hails crypto’s historic rise as he joins Bitfire

The crypto asset management firm acquires a trading system and hires a team of 20 people from Avenir Group for US$1.6 million.

Chinese economist Fu Peng has joined Bitfire Group as chief scientist. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

Open Questions | Euro, yuan unlikely to match US dollar, Daniel Gros says

German economist doubts EU and Chinese currencies will be widely used for international trade or that stablecoins will take off outside the ‘shadow economy’.

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United States

Billionaire Justin Sun sues Trump family crypto venture

The entrepreneur says his WLFI assets were frozen by World Liberty Financial, and he has been unable to resell the electronic currency.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s stablecoin roll-out puts banks at the centre of digital money

Hong Kong is building a bank-led digital money system, not a cryptocurrency free-for-all.

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Bank and commercial buildings dot the skyline in Hong Kong’s Central business district in 2020. Photo: Sun Yeung
North Korea

North Korea’s Lazarus suspected of stealing US$290 million from KelpDAO

Ethereum was ‘drained’ from KelpDAO in the biggest known cryptocurrency heist so far this year.

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Stablecoins

Hong Kong lawmaker swipes at US lack of ‘clarity’ as city eyes crypto lead

Hong Kong has granted its first two licences for stablecoin issuers, and is pushing forward regulations on crypto dealers and custodians.

China digital currency

Hong Kong seen leading Asia in push to scale stablecoins, HSBC says

Interoperability and real-world applications seen as key hurdles as city looks to unlock tokenisation’s full potential.

As part of its push to establish itself as a global cryptocurrency hub, Hong Kong has developed a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. Photo: Jelly Tse
Fintech

How PayMe’s 3.3 million users and Hong Kong firms could start using stablecoins

HSBC eyes retail stablecoin roll-out via PayMe in second half of 2026, as Standard Chartered-led joint venture focuses on institutions first.

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HSBC is looking to introduce stablecoins by integrating them into its popular PayMe app. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Banking & finance

Calls grow for HKMA to go further on stablecoins after conservative first batch

Analysts and investors say the HKMA’s cautious approach prioritises risk control, but limits Hong Kong’s digital asset ambitions.

Fintech

HSBC, StanChart-led group among first to get stablecoin licences in Hong Kong

HSBC will launch its Hong Kong dollar stablecoin in the second half of this year, integrating it into its PayMe and mobile banking platforms.

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Banking & finance

OKX Ventures, HashKey Capital back Vietnam crypto platform’s pilot scheme bid

Under pilot rules, at least 65 per cent of capital must come from institutional investors and foreign ownership is capped at 49 per cent.

This photo taken on February 12, 2026 shows a Vietnamese cryptocurrency investor looking at the latest bitcoin values on a smartphone in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong is not competing with US stablecoins or the digital renminbi

Readers discuss the city’s stablecoin ambitions, the use of e-payments, and the role eHealth could play in stroke prevention.

A visitor displays a cup of coffee purchased with China’s digital yuan, or the e-CNY, at the Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, on April 26, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

Editorial | Stablecoin launch delay shows Hong Kong would rather be safe than sorry

Given the complexity involved, it’s wise not to rush to meet any self-imposed deadline but to make sure a good framework is in place first.

Scams and swindles

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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Hong Kong’s stablecoin initiative is part of efforts to become a global digital-asset hub. Photo: Getty Images
Yuan

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Police charge another 10 people over HK$1.6 billion JPEX cryptocurrency scandal

Four men and six women charged after police investigations identify abnormal transactions in suspicious accounts linked to case.

US-China relations

Open Questions | Euro, Chinese yuan to end US dollar dominance, top economist says

Kenneth Rogoff sees yuan as a reserve currency within five years, Europe asserting financial independence and greater regulation of stablecoins.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Banking & finance

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Regulation

Has Hong Kong laid the groundwork to become a world-leading crypto hub?

With its regulatory clarity and superconnector edge, the city is drawing global crypto firms as it emerges as a premier Web3 hub.

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US-China relations

US-China split on digital money deepens as stablecoin debate stalls Clarity Act

Crypto push for yield clashes with banks, slowing US legislation as China advances interest-bearing e-CNY on a different path.

Fintech

Exclusive | HSBC, Standard Chartered tipped to win Hong Kong stablecoin licences in 2 weeks

The approvals would mark a milestone in Hong Kong’s push to regulate stablecoins while positioning itself as a global digital asset centre.

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Hong Kong’s stablecoin initiative is part of efforts strengthen the city’s bid to become a global digital asset hub. Photo: Getty Images
United States

Crypto billionaire Justin Sun settles US fraud case for US$10 million

The SEC sued Sun and his firms for securities fraud in 2023, but put the case on hold following Trump’s return to the White House.

Cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun attends a press conference in Hong Kong in April 2025. Photo: Edmond So
Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong’s virtual asset sector considered for taxation under policy review

Latest budget announces new government committee to be tasked with reviewing Hong Kong’s tax policies.

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