From Web3 to Banking: Animoca and Standard Chartered Unveil Anchorpoint Financial

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Animoca stablecoins Hong Kong

Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered Bank, and HKT Form New Firm to Issue Regulated HKD Stablecoin in Hong Kong

Web3 investment giant Animoca Brands announced on August 8 that it has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) and telecommunications leader HKT to establish a new company, Anchorpoint Financial Limited.

The joint venture aims to obtain a stablecoin issuer license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) under the city’s newly implemented regulatory framework for stablecoins.

Targeting Stablecoin Issuance Under Hong Kong’s New Rules

Anchorpoint will focus on the issuance and adoption of stablecoins, with operations built around Hong Kong’s new stablecoin legislation, which came into effect on August 1. The company has already formally notified the HKMA of its intention to apply for a license.

This initiative follows the three companies’ participation in the HKMA’s stablecoin issuer sandbox, launched in July 2024 to explore how stablecoins could bridge the gap between Web3 and traditional finance.

The project will initially specialize in a Hong Kong dollar (HKD)-denominated stablecoin cryptocurrencies, developed and operated under strict regulatory oversight. Industry observers view this as a key step toward integrating regulated digital assets into Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure.

Strengthening Hong Kong’s Status as a Global Financial Hub

The creation of Anchorpoint comes as Hong Kong rolls out its first dedicated stablecoin regulatory regime, providing a legal pathway for licensed issuers in the territory. The new framework could help the city capture a share of the $261 billion global stablecoin market.

The collaboration leverages Standard Chartered’s banking expertise, Animoca Brands’ Web3 and crypto experience, and HKT’s communications and tech infrastructure—a combination designed to maximize synergies.

The move also responds to growing demand in Asia for stablecoins denominated in currencies other than the US dollar.

Evan Auyang, President of Animoca Brands, called stablecoins “one of the most compelling use cases in Web3” and stressed that fiat-backed stablecoins regulated by the HKMA could bolster Hong Kong’s position as an international financial center.

Mary Huen, CEO of Standard Chartered Hong Kong, pledged to bring “an innovative, efficient, and secure medium of exchange” to the market.

Industry watchers see this initiative as a potential milestone in Hong Kong’s digital asset strategy, which has recently included moves such as approving spot Bitcoin ETFs to cement its role as a regional crypto hub.

By Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson is a seasoned crypto journalist and analyst with a sharp eye for emerging trends in blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 innovation. With a background in tech writing and years of experience tracking digital assets, Patrick breaks down complex topics into clear, actionable insights for investors, builders, and curious readers alike. His work spans market analysis, crypto regulation, decentralized finance ecosystems, and interviews with founders shaping the next phase of the internet. Patrick's writing has appeared in leading crypto publications and has earned a reputation for depth, clarity, and a no-hype approach to crypto journalism. When he’s not decoding the latest protocol upgrade or reporting on DAO governance shifts, you’ll find him experimenting with smart contracts or hiking off-grid, because even crypto authors need to unplug sometimes.