Is six months of imprisonment encouraging compliance or deterring it?
Is the Hong Kong stablecoin dead, or is it a cautious approach to preserve the fundamental base?
According to the summary of the original transitional regulations for stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong, those issuing fiat-pegged stablecoins or Hong Kong dollar-pegged stablecoins are required to apply for a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, with a transition period of six months (until February 1, 2026).
Circle (USDC) and Tether (USDT) theoretically do not need to apply for a license in Hong Kong as they are not issued there and do not peg to the Hong Kong dollar; their over-the-counter (OTC) trading in Hong Kong is also not directly regulated by this regulation.
However, if they want to apply for a license in Hong Kong, they will necessarily have to follow KYC rules, and qualifications will be required.
If they do not apply for a license or fail to pass it and continue their business, Jianhui faces six months of imprisonment!