Hong Kong launches tokenized deposit pilot with real-value transactions

Hong Kong has launched the pilot phase of Project Ensemble, testing real-value transactions using tokenized deposits and digital assets, as the city continues its drive to become a crypto hub.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the de facto central bank, said Thursday that the phase transitions the initiative from a sandbox experiment to live, value-bearing settlement — a move the HKMA described as "pivotal" in Hong Kong's crypto roadmap.

In August 2024, the HKMA initiated a sandbox for Project Ensemble, which aims to integrate tokenization into the traditional banking industry through the e-HKD. The sandbox has allowed participating banks and industry partners to test end-to-end digital-asset settlement using experimental tokenized deposits.

The new pilot is expected to operate through 2026, and will initially focus on tokenized money-market fund transactions and real-time liquidity and treasury management.

Under the pilot, interbank settlement is expected to first be supported by the HKD Real Time Gross Settlement system. Over time, the environment would be upgraded to support 24/7 settlement in tokenized central bank money, according to the HKMA.

"It is where innovation meets implementation, and the concepts and details tested in the Ensemble Sandbox are now applied in real-value transactions, delivering tangible benefits to market participants," said Eddie Yue, chief executive of the HKMA.

"To scale tokenization of investment products, interoperability is key," said Julia Leung, chief executive officer of the Securities and Futures Commission. "A critical step in that direction is today’s initiative announced by the HKMA which will gradually allow interbank settlement of tokenized deposits in real time 24/7," Leung added.

Hong Kong's pilot came as Asia's major financial centers intensify their focus on tokenized deposits and onchain settlement infrastructure. Last week, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said it plans to trial tokenized MAS bills settled with a central bank digital currency, with details to be released next year.

Singapore's DBS and Kinexys by J.P. Morgan also said last week that they are developing an interoperability framework to facilitate tokenized deposit transfers between different blockchain networks.