Hong Kong-listed stablecoin concept stocks fell; Bright Smart fell 15%; Yunfeng Fin, OSL Group, Lianlian fell 3%; Guotai Junan, Yeahka fell 2%.

Ant’s Bright Smart Deal May Face Higher Regulatory Scrutiny

Ant Group’s plans to buy a Hong Kong-based brokerage could be delayed as more mainland Chinese regulators contemplate reviewing the proposal.

The deal to acquire a controlling stake in Bright Smart Securities & Commodities has drawn attention from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, and the People’s Bank of China, according to people familiar with the situation.

Some regulatory officials believe that allowing the Ant deal to proceed without broader review could raise concerns among political authorities, one of the people said.

In response to queries, Alibaba affiliate Ant said that the relevant procedures regarding the acquisition are moving forward as planned, without elaborating. Bright Smart didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hong Kong Regulators Warn Against Hype-Driven Stablecoin Market Swings

Hong Kong’s financial regulators cautioned investors to avoid making impulsive bets on stablecoin-linked assets after a spate of sharp price swings tied to speculation, corporate announcements, and unverified claims about licensing plans in the city.

In a joint statement, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said they had observed abrupt movements in share prices of companies linked to the stablecoin concept.

These shifts often followed news reports, social media posts, or statements suggesting that firms planned to apply for a stablecoin issuer licence, engage in related activities, or explore such initiatives locally. Some claims referenced discussions with the regulators themselves.