HKMA Reports Q3 2025 Increase in Stored Value Facility Accounts and Transactions

Statistics of Stored Value Facilities schemes issued by SVF licensees

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (December 19) statistics on Stored Value Facilities (SVF) schemes issued by SVF licensees for the third quarter of 2025.

The SVF scheme statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on SVF schemes issued by the SVF licensees of the relevant periods.

According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of SVF accounts in use (Note 1) was 83.4 million at the end of Q3/2025, representing a 0.8 per cent increase from the previous quarter. The total number of SVF transactions was around 2.1 billion in Q3/2025, or 0.5per cent higher than the previous quarter. The total value of SVF transactions was HK$268.9 billion in Q3/2025, representing a 5.9per cent decrease from the previous quarter. Of the total transaction value, HK$45.2 billion was related to point-of-sale spending payment, HK$30.6 billion in online spending payment, HK$16.5 billion in P2P funds transfer, HK$65.4 billion in withdrawal and HK$111.2 billion in add value. The total float and SVF deposit (Note 2) was HK$20.7 billion at the end of Q3/2025, 1.7per cent higher than the previous quarter.

As compared with the end of Q3/2024, the total number of SVF accounts in use at the end of Q3/2025 was up by 7.7per cent, and the total float and SVF deposit was up by 11.8per cent. The total number and value of SVF transactions during Q3/2025 were up by 3.8per cent and 13.4per cent year-on-year respectively.

Note 1: "Total number of SVF accounts in use" refers to the total number of SVF accounts that can be used as at the end of the reporting period.

Note 2:The terms "float" and "SVF deposit" follow their definitions in the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance.

Source: AI-found images

Red tides sighted

Seven red tides were sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (December 19).

On December 15, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted six red tides at Butterfly Beach, Cafeteria New Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Golden Beach, Castle Peak Beach and Kadoorie Beach in Tuen Mun, respectively. On December 17, another red tide was spotted at Deep Water Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island.

The red tides at Butterfly Beach, Castle Peak Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach still persist, while the other four red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

A spokesman for the working group said, "All seven red tides were formed by Phaeocystis globosa, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters. According to literature overseas, the algal species can produce foam that may affect fish."

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Source: AI-found images