China’s central bank and multiple ministries have issued Notice No. 42, the most comprehensive legal framework yet for virtual currencies, RWAs, and stablecoins, enhancing definitions and cross-border compliance enforcement.
China’s central bank, in collaboration with seven other ministries, has released Notice No. 42, replacing the earlier 924 notice to create the most complete legal framework for virtual currencies, real-world asset (RWA) tokens, and stablecoins. The updated regulation expands its scope, clarifies legal definitions, and strengthens cross-border oversight. It designates the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) as the lead regulator for RWAs, imposing strict compliance requirements. The overhaul underscores China's strategic move to tighten control over digital assets and align them with financial stability, cross-border, and national security objectives.