Frequent changes to global financial regulation, particularly the recent policy direction announced on 28 November, have brought cross-border payments and Web3 into a new regulatory cycle. With compliance central to business viability, how can companies identify hidden risks and redesign their compliance approach?
On 10 December 2025, Mankun Law Firm hosted a closed-door forum in Hong Kong on how cross-border payment companies should respond to the new regulatory cycle.
HKAML, an organisation committed to industry compliance, supported the forum. Chairman Zhang Chuantao was invited as a featured guest to deliver the opening address.
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The Chairman opens a new compliance discussion
HKAML Chairman Zhang Chuantao delivered opening remarks during the 14:30–14:45 session.
Zhang noted that cross-border payment rules continue to evolve, giving the forum both industry significance and practical value. It aimed to provide practitioners with clear compliance guidance and current insights to support healthy industry development.
He also noted that the event marked new plans for Mankun's Hong Kong office. On behalf of HKAML, he congratulated the firm and recognised its expertise and rigorous work in Chinese Web3 and compliance law. A future Hong Kong office would strengthen its regional presence and professional support for the industry.
He expressed hope for close cooperation with Mankun in AML, regulatory technology and compliance innovation to build a safer, more transparent and resilient digital industry.
This reflects the Alliance's support for industry compliance and its role in connecting regulators and businesses.
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Addressing practical challenges: programme highlights
The forum brought together experts from law, technology, major payment companies and licensed institutions to address pressing business issues.
Programme highlights:
Compliance redesign: Mankun partner Shao Jiadian examined how cross-border payment compliance frameworks should be systematically rebuilt under new rules.
Infrastructure security: Eddy Tao, Vice President and Head of Digital Finance at BlockbeatHK, and Sarah Ye, CEO of RigSec, addressed crypto payment services and digital asset wallets respectively.
Stablecoin applications: OSL Vice President for Payments Feifei Li discussed efficient stablecoin applications in cross-border payments and commercial scenarios.
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Roundtable: identifying hidden industry risks
Liu Honglin, founder of Shanghai Mankun Law Firm, moderated a discussion on overlooked risks under the new regulatory cycle, capabilities for stablecoin and on-chain business, and the digital renminbi and the industry's future.
A media perspective: towards systematic compliance
Mu Chu, Editor-in-Chief of Mobile Payment Network, observed that Chinese stablecoin and crypto-payment practitioners face compliance anxiety. Overseas expansion or relocation to Hong Kong may reduce policy uncertainty, but can entail annual compliance and operating costs of several million Hong Kong dollars.
Domestic governance has expanded from financial regulation alone to coordination across ministries and national strategic considerations. Even when policy wording changes little, the level of oversight and governance logic have materially shifted.
He described a transition from unregulated growth to systematic compliance, with continued innovation within legal boundaries remaining a long-term challenge.
The institutional perspective: security and risk management are essential
Adam Dai, Safeheron's Hong Kong head, said fund security and compliance risk management are fundamental requirements for licensed institutions operating in crypto payments and digital assets.
Institutions commonly use multi-signature approval for shared control and strict authorisation of fund operations. They also use multiple AML/KYT providers to cross-check on-chain flows, reducing exposure to illicit funds and account freezes.
Systematic permission and workflow management supports control from asset storage through approval to execution. Safeheron's platform uses MPC to protect private keys and includes automated risk monitoring, flexible policies and permission controls to help payment institutions build secure, compliant infrastructure.
Merchant experience: stablecoins can be useful but difficult to adopt
Roy, Head of Sales for OTC at Sinohope, shared observations from practical business experience.
Merchants face operational and knowledge barriers in receiving payments, safeguarding assets and compliant conversion, alongside pressure over compliance and fund security. Some business must be conducted through Hong Kong licensed institutions or re-export trade structures to meet requirements.
Traditional banking channels have limited acceptance of some activities, creating obstacles to account opening and conversion. Providers are responding with custody, compliance advice and stablecoin conversion services, while institutions such as ZA Bank explore smoother payment and financial services for compliant cross-border trade.
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The Alliance's message: steady progress in a new compliance era
At the end of 2025, cross-border payments and Web3 are moving from rapid, loosely controlled growth towards more disciplined operations. As regulation becomes clearer, compliance is essential to business survival and long-term competitiveness.
We encourage members and industry peers to:
Take every compliance gap seriously, however small, rather than relying on luck.
Move from reactive compliance to proactive prevention, embedding AML risk management in business operations.
Work with industry leaders and legal specialists to identify safe, practical business approaches.
HKAML will continue connecting regulation and markets, helping practitioners navigate change and supporting the healthy development of Hong Kong's fintech ecosystem.
Hong Kong Anti-Money Laundering Alliance