Hong Kong to Implement Basel Crypto Asset Regulations by 2026

According to PANews, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced plans to fully implement new banking capital regulations based on the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's crypto asset standards starting January 1, 2026. The Basel Committee defines crypto assets as private 'digital assets' primarily reliant on cryptography and distributed ledger technology or similar technologies. These 'digital assets' are characterized as digital representations of value that can be used for payment, investment, or acquiring goods or services. The definition encompasses not only cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum but also real-world assets (RWA) and stablecoins.