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Legendary Labs and Jinlian Capital Foundation today announced the official strategic merger. Both parties will integrate resources and technological advantages to jointly promote the globalization of Legendary Space and the upgraded development of the Web3 prediction ecosystem (PredictFi).It is reported that Legendary Space has currently obtained digital lottery and online gaming operation licenses from 7 countries in Central America, including the blockchain online digital lottery license in El Salvador. The project is currently preparing to launch a decentralized prediction game for the World Cup, relying on the underlying technology of the FAB ecosystem. The officials stated that in the future, both parties will continue to explore fields such as AI integration and multi-chain interoperability.

According to the official announcement from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand, the Thai SEC is publicly soliciting opinions on adjusting the licensing rules for futures contracts. The core content allows existing digital asset business operators to directly apply for a futures contract business license without the need to establish a new company, while also formally including digital assets in the category of reference targets for futures contracts.

The Web3 asset data platform RootData has outlined the Web3 business partners of Zero Hash, whose partners cover key areas such as asset management institutions, payment channels, public chain infrastructure, and stablecoin systems, and are building a cooperative network centered on **compliance clearing** and **asset access**. Structurally, Zero Hash is committed to becoming a B-end crypto financial infrastructure provider, offering institutions a one-stop capability of "**fiat currency → crypto assets → multi-chain circulation → stablecoin settlement**": Upstream, it connects asset management and financial platforms such as Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, and Republic; on the funding entry side, it interfaces with payment and fiat channels like Stripe, Ramp, and Transak; at the infrastructure level, it covers multi-chain infrastructures such as Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Avalanche, and Aptos; at the same time, it connects with stablecoin systems like Circle, Tether, Paxos, as well as PYUSD and RLUSD, completing clearing and settlement support. In addition, Zero Hash, as one of the few infrastructure providers holding money transmission licenses (MTL) in multiple U.S. states and possessing complete regulatory framework adaptation capabilities, has a very clear common characteristic among its partners: funding entry (banks/payments), asset carriers (stablecoins/public chains), or distribution platforms (financial products/applications). Related collection 【[Zero Hash Web3 Partner Network Collection (Continuously Updated)](https://cn.rootdata.com/Archives/detail/zerohash%20Crypto%20Business%20Partner?k=NDc1NzIy)】 Crypto projects actively showcasing their partner networks has become a key way to enhance transparency and market trust. It is reported that RootData welcomes Web3 project parties to [claim data](https://www.rootdata.com/Projects/submit?ft=claimApply) and continues to track and open more project business relationship disclosure channels. The platform has continuously released multiple versions of the crypto project ecosystem map, nominating Web3 ecological partners for upstream clients such as Visa, Mastercard, and Coinbase. **If you wish to nominate your project in future ecosystem maps, please fill out the 【[RootData 2026 Industry Ecosystem Mapping](https://forms.gle/tWArmXcpSfZJkh1r8)】 form to supplement your important clients and partners.**

ChainCatcher live report, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivered the opening speech at the 2026 Hong Kong Web3 Carnival. He pointed out that 2026 is an important turning point, as Web3 is maturing, and financial institutions are increasingly using digital assets and tokenization to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and shorten settlement times. The rise of AI agents is also a milestone, and the intersection of the two will be a "game changer."He emphasized that Hong Kong, as an international financial center, actively embraces innovation and follows the principle of "same activity, same risk, same regulation." Regulatory agencies have a dual mission of prudent regulation and market development. He revealed that Hong Kong has issued two stablecoin issuer licenses this month and has issued over $2 billion in tokenized green and infrastructure bonds. Additionally, an "AI+ and Industry Development Strategy Committee" will be established to promote the integration of Web3 and AI in fields such as finance.

According to Tencent News' "Periscope," the Vice President of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Chen Weimin, stated that the timeline for issuing the second batch of licenses has not yet been determined, as it needs to be "based on the operational situation of the first two companies," and the total number of licenses in the future will be very limited.In addition, sources revealed that Chinese institutions that participated in the application submission have received "window guidance" from relevant departments, requesting them to postpone their participation in the stablecoin license application. However, some Chinese institutions have continued to communicate with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority over the past few months. After excluding Chinese institutions, the vast majority of the proposed applicants have limited capabilities, and there are not many qualified institutions that can fully meet the requirements of the "Stablecoin Regulation."Lee Kuan-hong, the head of HSBC Payme, told reporters that any Payme user can open a stablecoin account. In the stablecoin account, users can directly transfer money to friends and family, transfer to merchants, or invest in products linked to stablecoins. Users in the HSBC app cannot directly open an account; they must wait for HSBC to screen eligible users before applying for a stablecoin account.Payme account opening has required users to be local residents of Hong Kong, while users of the HSBC app also include mainland users. Under the existing management framework in Hong Kong, only local residents can participate in virtual asset trading, and mainland customers, even if they are mobile payment users of HSBC Hong Kong, cannot apply for a stablecoin account.

According to Caixin, the second batch of Hong Kong compliant stablecoin licenses is currently under application. Reliable sources reveal that Futu Securities and OSL Group are both contenders for the second batch of licenses.However, in November last year, the People's Bank of China and 13 other ministries reiterated their stance on cracking down on virtual currency trading in China and classified stablecoins as virtual currencies, which means that trading stablecoins will not be possible in mainland China.

According to the official website of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses today at 17:00. The licensed institutions include HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank.

According to Jinshi, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will announce the first batch of stablecoin licenses at 5 PM on April 10, after which licensed stablecoin issuers will meet with the media. The Monetary Authority received a total of 36 applications and plans to issue 2 to 3 licenses, with strict regulatory standards. The Monetary Authority's Chief Executive, Eddie Yue, stated that the number of licenses issued in the first batch will aim for prudence, with the goal of issuing licenses in March this year.

Lighter founder and CEO Vladimir Novakovski stated during the Q1 investor conference call that Lighter has initiated the application process for on-chain derivatives trading licenses, as it is not feasible to attract large traditional financial institutions like Citadel without a license.

The first batch of issuer licenses in Hong Kong was originally scheduled to be issued in March 2026, but it has not materialized as planned. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) responded that the HKMA is fully committed to advancing the licensing process and will make announcements to the public at the appropriate time.Regarding who will obtain the first batch of stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong, the market has previously focused on two major Hong Kong dollar issuing banks, HSBC and Standard Chartered. HSBC has not publicly disclosed whether it has submitted an application for a stablecoin license. However, as early as mid-January this year, there were rumors in the market that HSBC had a good chance of obtaining the first batch of licenses. Currently, there is no clear official disclosure on why the issuance of stablecoin licenses has been delayed beyond the anticipated timeline.Individuals close to the stablecoin license applications revealed that the HKMA has been in close contact with the first batch of potential compliant licensees, and there are still proposed amendments regarding the issuance matters. In addition, the second batch of compliant stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong is also in the application process. Reliable sources indicate that Futu Securities and OSL Group are strong contenders for the second batch of licenses.

According to Reuters, Vietnam plans to launch a pilot project for licensed cryptocurrency exchanges as early as this month to restrict domestic users from trading on foreign platforms and strengthen capital flow regulation.Documents from the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance show that five companies have passed the preliminary qualification review, including affiliated institutions of three private banks: Techcombank, VPBank, and LPBank, as well as the securities brokerage VIX Securities and the large private enterprise group Sun Group. The pilot period is set for five years, with a cap of five licensed exchanges, and the entry threshold is high, requiring a minimum registered capital of 100 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately 37.9 million USD), with foreign ownership not exceeding 49%. The Ministry of Finance is drafting relevant regulations that aim to prohibit Vietnamese citizens from trading on foreign cryptocurrency platforms, with violators facing fines of up to 100 million Vietnamese dong (approximately 3,800 USD).Analysts point out that this ban may force over 17 million cryptocurrency holders in Vietnam to withdraw from foreign exchanges such as Binance and Bybit. The enforcement timeline is clear, set to take effect six months after the first batch of licenses is issued.

According to market news, the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses in Hong Kong is expected to be announced this month. Sources say that Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, and licensed virtual asset trading platform OSL are among the first batch, with the announcement possibly coming as soon as next week, but the list remains subject to change.Previously, there were about 5 candidate institutions, which may ultimately be reduced to 3. The regulatory authorities may prioritize banking institutions to ensure stability and market confidence. It is worth noting that there are no Chinese institutions mentioned in the rumors; YuanCoin Technology, LianLian Digital, and others may not have made it to the first batch. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has stated that it does not comment on market rumors.

According to market news, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and the local Hong Kong virtual asset trading platform OSL will be among the first companies to obtain a stablecoin license in Hong Kong.Reports suggest that the list may be announced as early as next week, but it has not been finalized and is still subject to change. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority stated that it does not comment on market rumors.

According to the Hong Kong Economic Journal, the first batch of stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong will be issued after the Two Sessions, with fewer than 4 licenses in the first batch. It is reported that Yuan Coin Technology, which participated in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's stablecoin issuer "sandbox" testing, will not be among the first batch to receive stablecoin licenses.The Hong Kong Monetary Authority previously revealed that it received stablecoin license applications from 36 institutions in the first round, but emphasized that the number of licenses in the first batch will definitely not be large, aiming for prudence and stability.

According to market news, Russia is planning to fully incorporate cryptocurrency trading into a regulated "legal infrastructure" through legislative means, by authorizing commercial banks and brokers to lead digital asset operations and establishing a domestic compliance trading system that is highly isolated from global mainstream markets.Elvira Nabiullina, the Governor of the Central Bank of Russia, proposed at the annual meeting of credit institutions to allow qualified commercial banks and brokerage firms to obtain cryptocurrency trading licenses through a filing process, utilizing their existing anti-money laundering (AML) systems to monitor the flow of funds, and limiting banks' risk exposure to such assets to no more than 1% of their capital.According to a draft by the State Duma's Financial Market Committee, the new regulations are expected to be ready by July 1, 2026, aiming to change the current lack of transparency in the legal status of digital assets and guide decentralized P2P trading to regulated domestic platforms. Analysts point out that, with the deepening of EU and US sanctions against Russia, this move aims to create a "self-sufficient compliance internal circulation."

According to Jinshi reports, the Financial Secretary Paul Chan stated in the "2026 Budget" that the government will submit a draft digital asset policy bill within the year, establishing a licensing system for service providers involved in digital asset trading and custody.Hong Kong has implemented a licensing system for fiat-backed stablecoin issuers, with the first batch of licenses to be issued in March. The government and financial regulators will continue to promote licensed issuers to explore more application scenarios under compliance and manageable risk conditions.