Policy Address 2026 | HK to test tokenization of $1.3t Exchange Fund bills, regularize e-bond issuance
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will begin testing the tokenization of HK$1.3 trillion in Exchange Fund bills by the end of 2026. This initiative aims to enhance asset and liability management efficiency by enabling round-the-clock utilization of these bills for lenders. The government plans to regularize digital bond issuance, building on its status as a global leader that accounted for nearly 50 percent of new digital bond issuances between 2025 and mid-2026. To support this ecosystem, CMU OmniClear will launch a digital asset platform this year to provide comprehensive issuance and settlement services. Furthermore, the HKMA’s tokenized bond expert group is initiating a second-phase legal review to integrate Distributed Ledger Technology into the broader capital market. These efforts are designed to solidify Hong Kong's position as a premier hub for digital finance and innovation. By exploring full-cycle applications like automated dividend payments and redemptions, the city seeks to modernize its financial infrastructure and improve market liquidity.