CBUAE becomes member of Hong Kong's Central Moneymarkets Unit, gaining direct access to mainland Chinese debt markets as bilateral digital asset cooperation deepensCBUAE becomes member of Hong Kong's Central Moneymarkets Unit, gaining direct access to mainland Chinese debt markets as bilateral digital asset cooperation deepens

UAE Central Bank Joins Hong Kong's CMU to Access Chinese Capital Markets

2026/02/12 15:44
3 min read

UAE Central Bank Joins Hong Kong's CMU to Access Chinese Capital Markets

Darius Baruo Feb 12, 2026 07:44

CBUAE becomes member of Hong Kong's Central Moneymarkets Unit, gaining direct access to mainland Chinese debt markets as bilateral digital asset cooperation deepens.

UAE Central Bank Joins Hong Kong's CMU to Access Chinese Capital Markets

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has formally joined Hong Kong's Central Moneymarkets Unit, the city's core securities depository for debt instruments. The move gives UAE investors direct, cost-effective access to mainland Chinese capital markets through Hong Kong's established financial infrastructure.

The CMU membership was finalized during the third bilateral meeting between CBUAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama and HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue in Abu Dhabi on February 11. Both sides discussed cross-border debt market connectivity, digital asset developments, CBDC progress, stablecoin regulatory frameworks, and supply chain financing.

Digital Asset Framework Takes Shape

This latest agreement builds on a rapid succession of financial linkages between the two jurisdictions. In January 2026, UAE's Capital Market Authority and Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission signed a landmark MoU focused exclusively on digital asset regulatory cooperation. That followed September 2025 accords establishing mutual recognition of funds and cross-listings of ETFs—Hong Kong's first such arrangement with a Middle Eastern market.

The tokenization discussions are particularly significant. Both regulators have been actively developing frameworks for tokenized securities, with Hong Kong's Project Ensemble exploring wholesale CBDC applications and the UAE advancing its own digital dirham initiative. A coordinated approach could establish interoperable standards for tokenized debt instruments traded across both markets.

Trade Flows Underpin Financial Integration

The financial architecture reflects substantial existing trade volumes. UAE exports to Hong Kong reached $19.7 billion in 2024, predominantly gold. Non-oil bilateral trade has consistently exceeded $16 billion annually since 2022.

"The CBUAE's membership in the Central Moneymarkets Unit enables access to Asian capital markets and deeper engagement with other global financial centres," Balama stated. He emphasized the move supports "diversifying investment opportunities for market participants in the United Arab Emirates."

For Hong Kong, the partnership reinforces its positioning as the primary offshore renminbi hub. "This underscores Hong Kong's position as a premier gateway for international investors to tap into the broader China and Asia markets," Yue noted.

What Comes Next

The stablecoin regulatory discussions warrant close attention. Hong Kong is finalizing its stablecoin licensing regime, while the UAE has been developing its own framework through the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. Coordinated standards could facilitate dirham or Hong Kong dollar-denominated stablecoins for cross-border settlement.

No timeline was announced for specific digital asset initiatives, but the pace of agreements—four major MoUs in roughly 14 months—suggests both sides are moving quickly to establish the infrastructure before broader Gulf-Asia capital flows materialize.

Image source: Shutterstock
  • cbdc
  • stablecoins
  • tokenization
  • uae
  • hong kong
Market Opportunity
Lorenzo Protocol Logo
Lorenzo Protocol Price(BANK)
$0.03175
$0.03175$0.03175
+4.95%
USD
Lorenzo Protocol (BANK) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Spacetech: A New Revolution Re-shaping the Planet

Spacetech: A New Revolution Re-shaping the Planet

Spacetech is a technology that connects satellites to the Internet. The technology is already transforming our world real-time. It’s re-defining how we view ‘remote’ places.
Share
Hackernoon2025/09/18 15:15
Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token

Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token

The post Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Largest Bank in Spain Launches Crypto Service: Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email. Leah is a British journalist with a BA in Journalism, Media, and Communications and nearly a decade of content writing experience. Over the last four years, her focus has primarily been on Web3 technologies, driven by her genuine enthusiasm for decentralization and the latest technological advancements. She has contributed to leading crypto and NFT publications – Cointelegraph, Coinbound, Crypto News, NFT Plazas, Bitcolumnist, Techreport, and NFT Lately – which has elevated her to a senior role in crypto journalism. Whether crafting breaking news or in-depth reviews, she strives to engage her readers with the latest insights and information. Her articles often span the hottest cryptos, exchanges, and evolving regulations. As part of her ploy to attract crypto newbies into Web3, she explains even the most complex topics in an easily understandable and engaging way. Further underscoring her dynamic journalism background, she has written for various sectors, including software testing (TEST Magazine), travel (Travel Off Path), and music (Mixmag). When she’s not deep into a crypto rabbit hole, she’s probably island-hopping (with the Galapagos and Hainan being her go-to’s). Or perhaps sketching chalk pencil drawings while listening to the Pixies, her all-time favorite band. This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy Center or Cookie Policy. I Agree Source: https://bitcoinist.com/banco-santander-and-snorter-token-crypto-services/
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/17 23:45
Token Terminal Taps LayerZero to Provide Institutional-Level On-Chain Data Transparency

Token Terminal Taps LayerZero to Provide Institutional-Level On-Chain Data Transparency

Token Terminal, a prominent platform for on-chain analytics and data, has partnered with LayerZero, a cross-chain interoperability network. The partnership aim
Share
Coinstats2026/02/12 17:30