DAO List launched on April 3 the HSBC-based Dow Protocol e-commerce financing RWA Vault, with a term of 90 days and an annual return rate of 10%. This Vault is supported by e-commerce platform accounts receivable, provides funding services for merchants, and ensures repayment safety through automated repayment services and a dual-locked account control mechanism, guaranteeing the stability and reliability of cash flow.

Hong Kong’s Hong Kong dollar stablecoin licensing program has been delayed, and it has still not been approved to date. The market expects it may be pushed back to April. Regulators are focused on the applicants’ use cases and compliance, and the high bar is intended to reduce risk. HSBC, Standard Chartered, and others are potential licensees. Stablecoins will connect traditional finance with blockchain assets, and this will be tied to competition in regional digital finance.

Hong Kong’s first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses was originally set to be issued in March 2026, but it did not roll out as scheduled. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it is moving forward with the licensing process, and the market is watching the application status of HSBC and Standard Chartered. Among the applications for the second batch of licenses, Futu Securities and OSL Group are strong contenders.

Gate News reports that on March 31, stablecoin issuer Tether laid off several top gold traders who had been recruited just a few months earlier from HSBC.

Hong Kong's financial regulatory framework is progressing, with the Stablecoin Ordinance scheduled to take effect in August 2025, requiring issuing entities to meet stringent standards. Mature financial institutions such as Standard Chartered and HSBC are expected to be among the first to obtain approval, thereby promoting the development of the stablecoin ecosystem. Although concerns about centralization exist, this framework reflects Hong Kong's commitment to becoming a global hub for digital asset innovation, while also instilling confidence in crypto users and institutional investors.

This article summarizes cryptocurrency news from March 13, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time cryptocurrency prices, and price predictions. Today's major events in the Web3 sector include: 1. Bitcoin approaches $72,000: Supply tightening and regulatory tailwinds resonate, revealing BTC's upward momentum; 2. Increased scams after Ethereum fee reduction? Address poisoning attacks surge, USDT small transaction volume skyrockets 612%; 3. Hong Kong stablecoin regulation enters implementation phase: HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank may be among the first to obtain stablecoin issuance licenses.

HSBC and Standard Chartered are expected to become the first institutions in Hong Kong to obtain stablecoin issuance licenses, marking the imminent launch of Hong Kong's stablecoin regulatory framework. The new regulations require stablecoin issuers to obtain approval and comply with strict management requirements. The approval of both banks will drive traditional financial institutions' participation in blockchain payments and strengthen digital asset compliance.

Gate News Report, March 12 — Sources reveal that HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Hong Kong-based virtual asset trading platform OSL will be among the first institutions to receive a Hong Kong stablecoin license. The report states that the list may be announced as early as next week, but nothing has been finalized yet, and changes are still possible. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority responded by saying they do not comment on market rumors.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority plans to issue the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses in March, with HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank expected to be approved. HSBC's CEO stated that they will actively participate in Hong Kong's financial innovation, exploring blockchain and tokenization services, including bond issuance and tokenized gold business.

Barclays is evaluating the possibility of building a blockchain platform aimed at handling payments and related banking services, with vendor selection expected to be completed by April. The application of stablecoins in the payments sector continues to expand, and related transaction volumes are projected to exceed $50 trillion by 2030. Several banks, such as JPMorgan and HSBC, are also entering this space.