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Country guide for Hong Kong. Also read the general guide to accepting crypto into a non-custodial company wallet and see all country guides.

Can a Hong Kong Company Accept Cryptocurrency Payments?

A Hong Kong company can generally agree to receive a payment token as consideration for its own goods or services, subject to the nature of the token, the business activity and applicable financial, tax, sanctions and contractual rules.

This guide addresses direct receipt into a non-custodial wallet controlled by the Hong Kong company, rather than collection and settlement through a custodial crypto payment processor.

The Inland Revenue Department describes payment tokens such as Bitcoin as virtual commodities rather than legal tender. The fact that a token is not legal tender does not by itself prevent parties from agreeing to use it as consideration.

Official source: Hong Kong IRD Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 39.

Merchant Payment vs a Licensed Virtual-Asset Platform

Receiving payment for the company's own invoice is different from operating a centralised virtual-asset trading platform.

The SFC states that centralised virtual-asset trading platforms carrying on business in Hong Kong or actively marketing their services to Hong Kong investors must be licensed.

A separate licensing review is required where the company:

Official source: SFC — Virtual Asset Trading Platform Operators.

Stablecoin Regulation

Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance took effect on 1 August 2025 and established a licensing regime for issuers of regulated fiat-referenced stablecoins. The first issuer licences were granted in April 2026.

This issuer framework does not mean that every stablecoin is equivalent or appropriate for every merchant. A company should identify the token, issuer, redemption structure and any restrictions applied by its bank, exchange or wallet-screening provider.

Official sources: HKMA Stablecoin Issuer Supervision, HKMA Annual Report 2025 — International Financial Centre.

Profits Tax and Digital-Asset Accounting

Hong Kong Profits Tax generally applies to profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong from a trade, profession or business, excluding profits from the sale of capital assets. The source and nature of the profit remain factual questions.

IRD guidance explains that the tax treatment of digital assets depends on their nature and use. A company receiving payment tokens should record the commercial income and separately analyse later gains or losses from holding or disposing of the tokens.

Preserve:

Official sources: IRD DIPN 39, IRD Profits Tax.

CARF Developments

Hong Kong is implementing the OECD Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. The reporting framework targets persons or entities that, as a business, effect exchange transactions for or on behalf of customers, including exchanges, intermediaries and trading platforms.

An ordinary merchant should not assume that it is a reporting cryptoasset service provider merely because it receives a payment. A business that also exchanges or intermediates transactions should review the developing CARF rules and effective dates.

Official source: Hong Kong IRD — Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework.

How to Use Invoiceum in Hong Kong

Invoiceum.com can help a Hong Kong company create a clear commercial record for a direct wallet payment.

The invoice should include:

  1. The supplier's registered name and business details.
  2. Customer and supply information.
  3. The contractual price in HKD or another agreed currency.
  4. The cryptoasset, smart-contract address and network.
  5. The company-controlled receiving wallet.
  6. The valuation source and quote expiry.
  7. Confirmation requirements.
  8. Refund and incorrect-network rules.

After payment, link the Invoiceum invoice to the transaction hash, receipt time, fiat value and customer-screening record. This creates evidence supporting both the commercial receivable and the profits-tax analysis.

Invoiceum should be positioned as the invoice and documentation layer. It should not be described as an SFC-licensed exchange, HKMA-licensed stablecoin issuer, custodian or tax adviser unless its current legal status expressly supports that description.

Recommended Hong Kong Workflow

  1. Confirm that payment is for the company's own goods or services.
  2. Review the legal nature of every supported token.
  3. Use a company-controlled wallet with documented signer authority.
  4. Identify and screen the customer and source wallet proportionately.
  5. Issue an Invoiceum invoice with a fiat contractual value.
  6. Record the fiat value and transaction details at receipt.
  7. Reconcile the asset and revenue in the accounts.
  8. Record any later disposal separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitcoin legal tender in Hong Kong?

No. IRD describes payment tokens such as Bitcoin as virtual commodities rather than legal tender.

Can parties still agree to use Bitcoin as payment?

Generally, a Hong Kong merchant may agree to receive a payment token for its own supply, subject to the token, activity and applicable legal requirements.

Does a merchant need an SFC virtual-asset platform licence?

Not merely because it receives consideration for its own invoice. Operating a centralised trading platform, exchange or related custody service is a different regulated model.

Are all stablecoins treated the same?

No. Hong Kong now has a licensing framework for issuers of regulated fiat-referenced stablecoins. Merchants should review the specific token and issuer.

What does Invoiceum provide?

Invoiceum can structure the commercial invoice and payment instructions. The company remains responsible for wallet control, tax treatment, screening and any required financial licence.

Official Sources

This page provides general information and is not legal, tax or accounting advice.

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Last reviewed: August 2026.