Hong Kong stablecoins in Q1, BitConnect kidnapping arrests: Asia Express

CoinTelegraph

by Yohan Yun

January 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Hong Kong is set to issue its first stablecoin licenses in Q1 2026, marking a significant milestone for digital assets. The move positions Hong Kong as a leading international financial hub for regulated stablecoins, aligning with global regulatory trends. Meanwhile, South Korean crypto firm Hashed has launched Maroo, a blockchain designed for KRW-backed stablecoins, targeting institutional settlement and AI-driven payments. This development underscores Asia's growing role in advancing digital asset infrastructure. Hong Kong's initiative reflects its strategy to complement China's digital yuan by offering an offshore regulated environment for international settlements. The city is among the first major financial centers to formalize stablecoin regulations, supporting tokenized assets and institutional use cases. In contrast, South Korea

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Originally published on CoinTelegraph on 1/26/2026