Zilliqa and MaiCoin Launch Southeast Asia’s First Security Token Exchange

·

The blockchain landscape in Southeast Asia is taking a transformative leap with the announcement of Hg Exchange, the region’s first regulated security token exchange. This groundbreaking initiative is the result of a strategic partnership between Zilliqa, a Singapore-based public blockchain platform, and MaiCoin, Taiwan’s leading digital asset exchange. Designed to bring liquidity and global accessibility to private market investments, Hg Exchange aims to revolutionize how institutional and qualified investors access high-potential startups.

Bridging Blockchain and Traditional Finance

Hg Exchange is engineered to serve as a digital gateway for investors seeking exposure to Southeast Asia’s most promising private companies—often referred to as “decacorns,” startups valued at over $10 billion. Among the early targets for tokenization are regional powerhouses such as Grab, Gojek, Garena, Traveloka, and Didi Chuxing.

By leveraging blockchain technology, Hg Exchange intends to replicate the success of Nasdaq’s Private Market, but with a decentralized, transparent, and more inclusive infrastructure. Initially targeting institutional and accredited investors, the platform plans to gradually open access to non-accredited participants, democratizing investment opportunities in high-growth private enterprises.

👉 Discover how blockchain is reshaping private equity investment—click here to learn more.

What Is Zilliqa?

At the core of Hg Exchange’s technical foundation lies Zilliqa, a public blockchain known for its scalable architecture powered by sharding technology. Sharding allows the network to process transactions in parallel, significantly increasing throughput—a critical requirement for handling high-volume securities trading.

Zilliqa’s blockchain will be used for both the issuance and secondary trading of security tokens on Hg Exchange. This ensures immutable ownership records, transparent transaction histories, and programmable compliance through smart contracts. As of the announcement, Zilliqa was transitioning from its testnet phase to a fully operational mainnet, marking a pivotal milestone in its development.

According to Zilliqa CEO Xinshu Dong, “Hg Exchange exemplifies how Zilliqa collaborates with industry leaders to drive innovation in traditional sectors. This partnership showcases blockchain’s potential to disrupt financial infrastructure and unlock new models of value exchange.”

The Role of MaiCoin in Building a Secure Trading Platform

While Zilliqa provides the underlying blockchain infrastructure, MaiCoin brings its expertise in exchange operations and user security. As Taiwan’s most established digital asset platform, MaiCoin is responsible for developing the front-end trading interface, including the order-matching engine and real-time order book.

Security is paramount when dealing with regulated financial instruments. MaiCoin integrates robust safeguards such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and transaction signing protocols, adapted from its existing cryptocurrency trading systems. These measures ensure that investor assets and identities are protected without compromising usability.

Alex Lie, CEO of MaiCoin, emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration: “The convergence of blockchain technology with traditional asset classes like private equity promises to globalize and liquidate previously illiquid assets. Hg Exchange is a step toward making capital markets more efficient and accessible.”

Additionally, MaiCoin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four major financial institutions—Phillip Securities, PrimePartners, RHT Capital, and Fundnel—paving the way for them to become founding investor members of the exchange.

Regulatory Approval and the MAS Sandbox

One of the most critical aspects of launching a security token exchange is regulatory compliance. Hg Exchange is currently awaiting formal approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to operate within its FinTech Regulatory Sandbox.

The sandbox framework allows innovative financial services to be tested in a live environment under relaxed regulatory conditions, with oversight from MAS. This controlled testing phase enables Hg Exchange to refine its operations while ensuring adherence to anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), and investor protection standards.

As stated by MAS: “The regulatory sandbox supports fintech innovation by providing a safe space for experimentation. Participants can trial novel products under defined boundaries, with appropriate regulatory safeguards in place.”

Securing this green light would position Hg Exchange as one of the first fully compliant security token platforms in Asia, setting a precedent for future blockchain-based financial marketplaces.

Why Security Tokens Matter: Unlocking Liquidity in Private Markets

Security tokens represent ownership in real-world assets—such as equity, debt, or revenue shares—encoded on a blockchain. Unlike utility tokens, they are subject to securities regulations, offering greater legal clarity and investor protection.

For private companies, tokenization reduces friction in fundraising and enables fractional ownership. For investors, it introduces liquidity into traditionally illiquid assets. Instead of waiting years for an IPO or acquisition, stakeholders can trade their holdings on compliant platforms like Hg Exchange.

This shift could redefine venture capital and private equity, making it easier for startups to raise capital and for investors to diversify portfolios across high-growth sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and mobility.

👉 See how tokenized assets are creating new investment frontiers—explore opportunities now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a security token?

A security token is a digital representation of ownership in an asset such as company equity, bonds, or real estate. It is issued on a blockchain and subject to financial regulations, providing legal rights like dividends, voting, or profit-sharing.

How does Hg Exchange differ from traditional stock exchanges?

Unlike conventional exchanges that list public companies, Hg Exchange focuses on private company securities that have been tokenized. It enables early access to high-value startups before they go public, using blockchain for transparency and efficiency.

Who can invest on Hg Exchange?

Initially, only institutional and accredited investors will be eligible. However, the platform plans to expand access to non-accredited investors in the future, pending regulatory approval and risk assessment frameworks.

What role does Zilliqa’s blockchain play?

Zilliqa provides the decentralized infrastructure for issuing and trading security tokens. Its sharded architecture supports high transaction speeds and low fees, making it ideal for scalable financial applications.

Is Hg Exchange regulated?

It is currently operating under review by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for inclusion in the FinTech Regulatory Sandbox. Once approved, it will function as a regulated platform compliant with securities laws.

Can I trade security tokens globally?

While Hg Exchange is based in Singapore, its blockchain foundation allows for cross-border participation—subject to local regulations in each investor’s jurisdiction. Compliance protocols ensure that only eligible investors can participate.

The Future of Digital Securities in Southeast Asia

The launch of Hg Exchange marks a significant milestone in the convergence of blockchain technology and traditional finance. By combining Zilliqa’s scalable infrastructure with MaiCoin’s exchange expertise and MAS’s progressive regulatory approach, the platform sets a new benchmark for digital securities markets.

As more private companies explore tokenization, and more investors demand access to pre-IPO opportunities, platforms like Hg Exchange could become central hubs for innovation-driven capital formation.

👉 Stay ahead in the digital asset revolution—find out how you can get involved today.

With strong fundamentals, regulatory foresight, and strategic partnerships, Southeast Asia may soon emerge as a global leader in the security token economy—ushering in a new era of financial inclusion and market efficiency.

Core Keywords: