Qatar’s First-Ever Native Digital Bond Issued With a Value of $500M
The three-year floating-rate deal on HSBC’s Orion is described as the largest such bank transaction in the Middle East and Africa.
Qatar National Bank (QNB) has completed the country’s first native digital bond, raising $500 million through a three-year floating-rate note issued on HSBC’s Orion, the blockchain-based platform operating under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
The transaction is described as the largest of its kind by a financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, with HSBC acting as sole bookrunner. The bank said the issuance aligns with its plan to diversify funding sources and tap new markets, adding that it signals confidence from global investors in QNB’s financial position and long-term strategy.
QNB said the bond was structured with support from international law firms and emphasised governance and regulatory rigour, while noting HSBC Orion’s scale and role in processing digital bonds for issuers in the Middle East.
The digital bonds were issued under QNB’s Euro Medium Term Note programme and are expected to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Global investors will be able to access the notes via Hong Kong Monetary Authority accounts, Euroclear, Clearstream, or by joining the Orion platform directly.
