Hong Kong is expanding its crypto licensing regime to cover a broader range of virtual asset dealers and custodians, marking a major step in tightening oversight of its digital asset market. Following months of consultation, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) confirmed that firms offering virtual asset dealing or custody services in Hong Kong will be required to obtain licenses under a new framework.

HashKey Group is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong that could raise up to $215 million, positioning it to become the city’s first listed crypto exchange. The company aims to sell about 240.6 million shares at a price range of HK$5.95 to HK$6.95, implying a valuation of around HK$19 billion at the top end.

Bitcoin Depot (Nasdaq: BTM), the largest Bitcoin ATM operator in North America, is expanding into Hong Kong as part of its Asia growth strategy, targeting markets with strong demand for easy cash-to-crypto access. The company aims to rank among the top five Bitcoin ATM operators in Hong Kong, underscoring the city’s momentum as a global crypto hub.

Franklin Templeton has unveiled the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund for professional investors in Hong Kong, a first-of-its-kind “end-to-end” tokenized money market fund that issues, distributes, and services its shares entirely on a blockchain ledger — while still operating under the European UCITS regulatory umbrella.