HSBC and Digital Assets and Currencies

We’re powering the digital future of assets and currencies and are helping clients make the most of the opportunities this brings.

Digital assets

The world of digital assets is evolving. We provide a range of digital asset solutions, leveraging the power of distributed ledger technology (DLT) for digital bonds, tokenised gold and custody solutions.

Digital bonds

Our digital assets platform HSBC Orion is leading the way when it comes to the digitisation of capital markets.

It has powered landmark transactions globally, including the Middle East and North Africa’s first digital bond¹, the European Investment Bank’s first digital bond in pound sterling², the world’s first multi-currency digital bond for the Hong Kong government – the largest-ever deal of its type at the time³ – as well as the Luxembourg government’s first digital treasury certificates⁴.

Tokenised gold

We’re the first bank in the world to offer tokenised ownership of physical gold, unlocking new possibilities in the precious metals market.

HSBC Gold Token(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window) (opens in new window) enables investors to acquire fractional ownership in physical gold securely via our digital platforms. The digital token is backed by physical gold stored in our vault.

It’s available to retail investors in Hong Kong and institutional investors in the UK.

Custody solutions

We’re one of the world’s largest custodian banks and are developing a new digital assets custody service for tokenised securities.

The service will complement HSBC Orion to provide a complete digital asset offering for our institutional clients.

Digital currencies

Distributed ledger technologies have given rise to new forms of digital money.

Together with key partners, central banks and governments, we’re pioneering developments in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), tokenised deposits and other emerging forms of digital money.

Central Bank Digital Currencies

We’re involved in CBDC projects with several central banks, including those of Hong Kong, UK, France, Canada, Singapore, mainland China, Thailand and UAE, acting as a trusted adviser on policy, operating models and technology decisions.

We recently undertook experimental testing as part of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s e-HKD project⁵, along with conducting a public survey gauging perceptions of digital currencies. Our technical and commercial insights are informing the potential design options of e-HKD, as the city continues to explore options around digital money.

Tokenised deposits

Our HSBC Tokenised Deposit Service⁶ for corporate clients in Hong Kong is the first bank-led, blockchain-based settlement service in the city.

Built on Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Ensemble Network, our own private network serves as the new infrastructure providing near-instant HKD and USD payments between a client’s corporate wallets.

It enables tokenised asset settlements, including use cases being explored by the HKMA as part of Project Ensemble, which was established to explore the tokenisation of money and real-world assets.