Hong Kong Reportedly Picks ConsenSys for Digital Currency Pilot Project

Following a successful research phase between the two central banks, Consensys will develop a proof-of-concept for cross-border interbank blockchain payments. Blockchain firm ConsenSys announced Sep. 25 that it had been awarded the contract for a cross-border payment project between Thailand and Hong Kong.The company will lead the second implementation phase of Project Ithanon-Lionrock. The project is a joint initiative to create a cross-border central bank digital currency, or CBDC, payment network between banks in the two countries.Initiated in May 2019 by the Hong Kong Monetary....

Financial authorities in Hong Kong have unveiled a prototype of the Chinese autonomous territory’s own central bank digital currency called Project Aurum. The two-tier platform features a wholesale interbank and a retail e-wallet system, participants revealed. Hong Kong to Issue Retail Tokens and Stablecoins as Part of Project Aurum A collaboration between the BIS Innovation Hub Hong Kong Centre, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute has produced a prototype of Hong Kong’s upcoming digital currency, the Bank for....

Research into central bank digital currencies will play a significant role in Hong Kong’s fintech development efforts. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has published its “Fintech 2025” strategy with central bank digital currencies (CBDC), both retail and wholesale, included in the digital finance innovation package.Unveiling the fintech strategy via a release issued on Tuesday, CBDCs will reportedly play a part in the city administration’s goal of promoting comprehensive digital finance adoption by 2025.Concerning its plans for central bank digital currencies, the HKMA revealed that....

Preliminary talks are underway to begin testing the e-CNY in the special administrative region of Hong Kong. China’s central bank and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, or HKMA, are in the preliminary stages of piloting the digital yuan for cross-border payments — underscoring another key development in the rollout of a central bank digital currency, or CBDC.In a media release that appeared on the HKMA website on Friday, chief executive Eddie Yue provided an update on the ongoing work surrounding cross-border payments. He indicated that HKMA is in dialogue with the People’s Bank of China,....

Cryptocurrency regulation in Hong Kong is undergoing changes. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is reportedly introducing a new licensing system to regulate all crypto exchanges operating in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s New Crypto Regulation The CEO of the SFC, Ashley Alder, talked about implementing a new cryptocurrency regulatory framework at Hong Kong Fintech Week on Tuesday. All cryptocurrency trading platforms operating in Hong Kong or targeting local investors will be required to apply for a license with the SFC, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported. “Later....