Hong Kong OTC Market Falls by 32.94% One Week into Stablecoin Ordinance

Bitrace’s on-chain data reveals a sharp reduction in TRC20-USDT transactions, as Hong Kong’s new Stablecoin Ordinance forces over-the-counter providers to suspend operations or seek licenses.

USDT

Summary

Following the implementation of Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Ordinance on August 1, 2025, Bitrace reported that total TRC20-USDT outflows in the OTC market dropped by 32.94%, with store-type providers experiencing a 43.20% decline and non-store providers a 30.65% drop. Many service providers suspended stablecoin-related activities while awaiting license applications, highlighting a significant immediate impact on the local crypto exchange sector.

Terms & Concepts
  • Stablecoin Ordinance: A regulatory framework in Hong Kong, effective August 1, 2025, that governs the issuance and operation of stablecoins and mandates licensing.
  • OTC Market: A marketplace for trading cryptocurrencies directly between parties, outside of traditional exchanges.
  • TRC20-USDT: A version of the USDT stablecoin operating on the TRON blockchain using the TRC20 token standard.