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Hong Kong regulator, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), has established guidelines for crypto staking service providers. That’s according to a statement published by the SFC to its website on April 7. The guidance is aimed at licensed virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) and SFC-authorized funds with exposure to digital assets.Photo by Markus Winkler on UnsplashExpanding service offeringThe regulator points out that the guidance on staking falls in line with its recently announced “ASPIRe” roadmap, which is geared towards ensuring that the Chinese autonomous territory remains relevant in its efforts to maintain its status as a global hub for crypto businesses. Expanding product and service offerings within the crypto sector was one of the five pillars of that plan. Smoothing the way for the offering of staking works towards fulfilling that aspect of the ASPIRe plan. Written approvalIn this guidance, the SFC sets out that licensed service providers must obtain written approval from the regulator before any such product can be offered to investors in Hong Kong. That stipulation applies to both VATPs and authorized funds with digital asset exposure. Additionally, VATPs must retain control over staked assets, with no delegation in the custody of such assets to third parties permitted. In the case of authorized funds that include crypto assets, they must stake virtual asset holdings through licensed VATPs and other authorized institutions. Required disclosuresThe regulator has also stipulated that certain disclosures must be made by licensed exchanges to potential customers in respect of staking products. These include the disclosure of all associated risks, full transparency with regard to fees, minimum lock-up periods and custodial arrangements. Commenting on the provision of this guidance, SFC CEO Julia Leung said that the provision of a greater range of regulated services and products is crucial in order to sustain continued growth of Hong Kong’s virtual asset ecosystem. However, she added that any broadening of the range of services offered “must be done in a regulated environment where the safety of client virtual assets continues to be front and centre of the compliance framework for offering such service.”   The SFC outlined that it recognizes “the potential benefits of staking in enhancing the security of blockchain networks and allowing investors to earn yields on virtual assets within a regulated market environment.” The authorities in Hong Kong are not the only ones who recognize the benefits that the incorporation of staking within crypto investment products can bring. Last month, Robert Mitchnick, head of digital assets at the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, told the Digital Assets Summit in New York that Ether ETFs would benefit from the addition of staking.  Mitchnick suggested that the current inability to earn a staking yield within such products is a key limitation. He outlined that such a change is dependent upon relevant regulatory changes being implemented in the U.S. A more crypto-friendly climate in the U.S. since U.S. President Donald Trump took office has resulted in various lawsuits being dropped against companies like Coinbase related to the staking services that had been offered. A number of U.S. Ether ETF issuers, including Franklin Templeton, Grayscale and Bitwise, have put forward proposals to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have staking included in these products.

Blockchain Council Exec: Philippines Poised for Crypto AdoptionDonald Lim, the Founder of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP), believes that the country has all the necessary elements for mainstream crypto and blockchain adoption.In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Lim discussed the potential for crypto adoption in the Philippines and explained why he is optimistic about the success of blockchain projects in the country.Photo by Krisia on PexelsFinding its place in blockchainAccording to Lim, the BCP recognized the global shift towards Web3 and organized the Philippine Blockchain Week to explore the ecosystem’s potential. That activity revealed to the organizers that the country has a vibrant community eager to find its place in the world of blockchain. Lim expressed confidence in the Philippines becoming the blockchain capital of Asia, citing the country’s technical expertise, young population with a median age of 25, and its ability to adapt quickly, as demonstrated by the popularity of the play-to-earn game Axie Infinity.Crypto interestAxie Infinity, a play-to-earn blockchain game, gained significant traction in the Philippines in 2021, with 40% of its player base coming from the country. This increased awareness of Web3 concepts and the creation of crypto wallets. Additionally, research carried out recently suggests the Filipinos are among the most interested in crypto in the region.Lim noted that international organizations have been eager to enter the Philippine market due to favorable demographics and the government’s open stance on crypto and blockchain. The executive emphasized that the government is not seeking to stifle innovation in the sector. On the contrary, it welcomes blockchain and Web3 projects, creating an environment conducive to their growth.Ethan Rose, founder of Pouch, a wallet service supporting the Bitcoin Lightning Network in the Philippines, corroborated this sentiment. Pouch has successfully onboarded over 400 businesses in the country to accept Bitcoin payments. While the onboarding of Filipino merchants into the crypto space is a positive step, Lim believes that it will take time before living solely on Bitcoin or crypto becomes a reality.Adoption inevitableHowever, he remains optimistic about the future, stating that it is only a matter of time before crypto adoption snowballs into something more significant.Lim highlighted the need for infrastructure development, expecting it to mature within the next four to five years. As the infrastructure improves, crypto will not only be used for payments but also for activities such as purchasing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and participating in the metaverse. This comprehensive adoption will pave the way for a crypto-powered future in the Philippines.Philippine regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), recently delayed publication of its crypto regulatory framework. However, it appears that the move stems from an abundance of caution in getting the regulation right. Earlier this year, Robert De Guzman, Head of Legal Compliance at Philippines-based cryptocurrency exchange, Coins.ph, expressed his optimism that the authorities are developing a progressive regulatory framework for crypto in the Southeast Asian country.The Philippines shows promising potential for crypto and blockchain adoption, fueled by its young population, technical expertise, and supportive government. As the infrastructure continues to evolve, crypto adoption is expected to expand beyond payments, encompassing various aspects of the digital economy.

While global cryptocurrency sentiment remains subdued, authorities and state-linked investors in Abu Dhabi are deepening their engagement with digital assets through expanded regulation and increased capital allocation. On Dec. 8, stablecoin issuer Tether and cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced they had secured regulatory approvals from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial center and free economic zone in the UAE capital. The moves signal a continued effort by the United Arab Emirates to integrate blockchain technology into its formal financial system, creating a contrast with the broader market’s current “extreme fear” rating of 22 on the Alternative Fear and Greed Index.Photo by DrawKit Illustrations on UnsplashTether, Ripple stablecoins approvedTether confirmed that its USDT stablecoin has been designated as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token within the ADGM. This status allows financial entities licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to conduct regulated activities involving USDT across a broader range of blockchain networks, including Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON. The approval builds on previous authorizations for USDT on Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche, and follows the FSRA’s recognition of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin last month. Binance fully cleared for regulated launch Simultaneously, Binance announced it has secured full authorization from the FSRA to operate a regulated platform within the financial center. Pending final operational preparations, Binance is scheduled to commence regulated activities on Jan. 5, 2026. The exchange will operate in Abu Dhabi through a three-entity structure that separates key functions, mirroring traditional financial infrastructure. Nest Exchange Limited (currently Nest Services) will function as the regulated arm for spot and derivatives trading, while Nest Clearing and Custody Limited will manage clearing and settlement. Broker-dealer activities will be handled by a third entity, Nest Trading Limited (currently BCI Limited). Circle awarded FSP for paymentsMore recently, Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, announced the receipt of a Financial Services Permission (FSP) license from the FSRA. The license allows Circle to act as a Money Services Provider within Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre (IFC), enabling it to support regulated payment and settlement services for businesses, developers, and financial institutions across the UAE. Circle has been expanding its regulatory presence in the region throughout the year. In February, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recognized the company’s USDC and EURC tokens as permitted crypto assets under its virtual asset framework. This regulatory expansion comes amid the UAE’s efforts to develop a comprehensive financial compliance framework. A recent report by the Global Finance & Technology Network identified the UAE as one of seven jurisdictions globally that meet three core standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance. Those standards include know-your-customer (KYC) and identity verification, suspicious transaction reporting, and implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Travel Rule. Institutional capital inflows riseIn parallel with the regulatory push, investment vehicles linked to the Abu Dhabi government have increased their exposure to digital assets. Bloomberg reported that in the third quarter, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, a Mubadala subsidiary, increased its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF more than threefold to nearly eight million shares. Separately, the Royal Group, an investment firm associated with the Abu Dhabi royal family, currently holds roughly 6,516 Bitcoin, according to Arkham data. An earlier Crypto Briefing report noted that this acquisition was carried out through its majority-owned subsidiary, Citadel Mining. These simultaneous developments in licensing and capital allocation suggest a coordinated strategy to establish Abu Dhabi as a hub for institutional digital assets, with a focus on long-term infrastructure despite current market fragility.