Hong Kong Monetary Authority to Study a Retail CBDC

Hong Kong's central bank is aiming to "future-proof" the financial center for the growth of CBDCs as part of its "Fintech 2025" strategy.

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The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is to begin a study on the use cases of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

  • Hong Kong's central bank is aiming to "future-proof" the financial center for the growth of CBDCs as part of its "Fintech 2025" strategy, announced Tuesday.
  • The HKMA has been working with the Bank for International Settlements to research retail CBDCs.
  • It will now study the benefits and risks of a retail digital Hong Kong dollar, or "e-HKD."
  • In CBDC parlance, "retail" refers to a digital currency issued to consumers and businesses directly by the central bank without commercial banks or other entities as intermediaries. In this sense, it would be comparable to digital cash.
  • "The HKMA will also continue to collaborate with the People’s Bank of China in supporting the technical testing of e-CNY in Hong Kong with a view to providing a convenient means of cross-boundary payments for both domestic and mainland residents," the announcement said.

Read more: China to Hold Beijing Lottery for CBDC Trial

ER June 2026 Image

CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.

Why it matters:

CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.