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- Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered, and HKT form Anchorpoint Financial to apply for Hong Kong stablecoin issuer license.
- Anchorpoint Financial aims to bridge Web3 innovation with traditional finance under HKMA’s new Stablecoins Ordinance.
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), Animoca Brands, and HKT have finally announced the formation of a new joint venture called Anchorpoint Financial Limited.
According to Reuters, this entity was formed specifically to apply for a stablecoin issuing license with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), just days after the Stablecoins Ordinance officially came into effect on August 1, 2025. This regulation opens the door for industry players to enter the now-tightly regulated stablecoin sector, and the HKMA aims to issue the first licenses in early 2026.
The story of Anchorpoint Financial’s formation actually began long before today. In February 2025, the three parties had already announced plans to collaborate on developing a Hong Kong dollar (HKD)-based stablecoin.
In fact, in July 2024, they were among the initial participants in the HKMA’s stablecoin issuing sandbox program, which aims to test the interconnectedness of the traditional financial system and the Web3 ecosystem.
Building a Stablecoin That Bridges Finance and Web3
Anchorpoint Financial was not formed solely to capitalize on regulatory opportunities. With Standard Chartered’s experience in the global banking sector, Animoca Brands’ innovative portfolio in the digital asset space, and HKT’s telecommunications infrastructure network, the three aim to create a stablecoin with cross-sector functionality.
The target is not only everyday financial transactions, but also cross-border commerce and integration with various Web3 platforms.
Furthermore, Animoca Brands also sees this stablecoin as a driver of its digital ecosystem—from gaming and NFTs to virtual asset trading. According to a company statement, the HKD stablecoin they are developing will serve as a bridge between Web3 users and traditional financial services, reducing technical barriers and cross-border transaction costs.
Animoca Brands Strengthens Ties Between Web3 and Creative IP
Besides that, CNF previously reported that last May, Astar Network secured a strategic investment from Animoca Brands to strengthen the Web3 entertainment sector and integrate Japanese intellectual property (IP).
This collaboration is aimed at connecting Anime ID and NFT art with Astar’s Layer-2 blockchain, Soneium. This move demonstrates Animoca Brands’ long-standing foundation for collaboration that combines blockchain technology with popular creative content.
Animoca Brands’ collaborative footprint in the Web3 space is indeed expanding. Last March, they officially partnered with Soneium to launch Anime ID, a project that combines digital identity with anime culture on the blockchain.
The project doesn’t stop there, as Soneium and LINE also plan to integrate a mini-app powered by Moca Network to facilitate Web3 access for general users.
Animoca Brands’ involvement in these projects demonstrates a consistent strategy: combining mass adoption with solid blockchain infrastructure. So, when they entered the stablecoin market with Standard Chartered and HKT, their long-term goal was clear—building a connected digital ecosystem spanning entertainment, digital identity, and cross-border transactions.
