One of the world’s largest banks is getting serious about public chain tokenization — and the timeline may be shorter than you think.

Custody, Tokenization, Bonds — All In on Blockchain

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is deepening its blockchain strategy, with a focus on custody services, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and digital bond issuance. This comes as the bank signals that tokenization of real-world assets on public chains could surge within the next 2 to 5 years — a timeline that puts institutional adoption closer than expected.

Its latest move? A partnership with Ant International to co-develop blockchain-based treasury tools.

Pilot in Motion: Tokenized Deposits for Corporates

In May, HSBC Hong Kong launched a tokenized deposit-based cash management solution, designed to give corporate clients real-time treasury visibility using blockchain infrastructure. Ant International was the first to onboard.

Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International , commented:

“We are very excited to work with an industry leader like HSBC, who shares the belief that tokenization is the key to bridging the stability of traditional banking with the efficiency of blockchain, to enable real-time treasury management.”

Why This Matters: The Institutional Tokenization Race

While tokenization isn’t new, the entrance of global banking giants marks a shift. HSBC's embrace of blockchain — especially public chains — puts it among the most forward-looking institutions in the region. RWA tokenization could bring traditional financial products like bonds, deposits, and securities on-chain in a regulated way.

This isn't about replacing the current system — it's about upgrading it.

Hong Kong: The Emerging On-Chain Finance Hub?

With major players like HSBC and Ant laying foundations for on-chain finance, Hong Kong's role as a hub for blockchain innovation seems more assured than ever. But with traditional banks moving in, what will this mean for native Web3 players?