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HKMA, Vietnam, Lithuania, and Turkmenistan Set 2026 Crypto Regulatory Deadlines

HKMA confirms Basel crypto capital rules will take effect on January 1, 2026, covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and tokenized RWAs, per Caixin; similar 2026 deadlines apply in Vietnam, Lithuania, and Turkmenistan.

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Summary

Hong Kong’s Monetary Authority (HKMA) will fully implement Basel crypto asset capital rules on January 1, 2026, according to Caixin. The framework applies to privately issued digital assets that use cryptography and distributed ledger technology, encompassing Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and tokenized real-world assets (RWA). The Basel rules require banks to maintain adequate capital against crypto exposures. Vietnam, Lithuania, and Turkmenistan are also slated to introduce or enforce significant crypto regulations in 2026, aligning with the growing global regulatory push.

Terms & Concepts
  • Basel crypto asset capital rules: Basel Committee standards requiring banks to hold capital against cryptocurrency exposures to ensure prudential risk management.
  • Distributed ledger technology (DLT): A shared database system where records are synchronized across multiple nodes, underpinning blockchains and related crypto systems.
  • Real-world assets (RWA): Traditional assets such as bonds or real estate represented on-chain via tokenization.