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Blockchain

Experts gathered at the Web3 Festival in Hong Kong predict AI agents will lead the next leap in global finance with crypto, while how we interact with blockchain is likely to change indefinitely. Photo: AFP/Getty/TNS
Artificial intelligence

Crypto industry sees AI-driven agent economy as next growth driver

Experts gather in Hong Kong for Web3 Festival as firm predicts AI agents could facilitate up to US$5 trillion in global crypto sales by 2030.

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China digital currency

Hong Kong seen leading Asia in push to scale stablecoins, HSBC says

Fintech

HSBC, StanChart-led group among first to get stablecoin licences in Hong Kong

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Banking & finance

OKX Ventures, HashKey Capital back Vietnam crypto platform’s pilot scheme bid

Under pilot rules, at least 65 per cent of capital must come from institutional investors and foreign ownership is capped at 49 per cent.

This photo taken on February 12, 2026 shows a Vietnamese cryptocurrency investor looking at the latest bitcoin values on a smartphone in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
This photo taken on February 12, 2026 shows a Vietnamese cryptocurrency investor looking at the latest bitcoin values on a smartphone in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | Euro, Chinese yuan to end US dollar dominance, top economist says

Kenneth Rogoff sees yuan as a reserve currency within five years, Europe asserting financial independence and greater regulation of stablecoins.

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Cryptocurrency

Has Hong Kong laid the groundwork to become a world-leading crypto hub?

With its regulatory clarity and superconnector edge, the city is drawing global crypto firms as it emerges as a premier Web3 hub.

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Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
Fintech

Exclusive | HSBC, Standard Chartered tipped to win Hong Kong stablecoin licences in 2 weeks

The approvals would mark a milestone in Hong Kong’s push to regulate stablecoins while positioning itself as a global digital asset centre.

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United States

Crypto billionaire Justin Sun settles US fraud case for US$10 million

The SEC sued Sun and his firms for securities fraud in 2023, but put the case on hold following Trump’s return to the White House.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong, Shanghai sign pact on digital trade finance, cross-border data link

‘This marks an important milestone in the collaboration on financial innovation between Shanghai and Hong Kong,’ HKMA’s Howard Lee says.

The collaboration with Hong Kong is expected to help Shanghai realise innovative applications in digitised cargo trade and finance. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Cryptocurrency

‘Sentiment is bleak’: bitcoin declines amid geopolitical tensions

Bitcoin prices drop as much as 3.2 per cent to US$66,604 on Tuesday, before paring the decline.

Many bitcoin investors see US$60,000 as a key support level for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. Photo: Shutterstock
Many bitcoin investors see US$60,000 as a key support level for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. Photo: Shutterstock
Fintech

Can Hong Kong lead a digital gold trading revolution with blockchain innovation?

Beyond banks, asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms are racing to launch innovative tokenised gold products for investors.

United States

Bitcoin drops, driving US$2 trillion slide in crypto market value

The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell to a low of US$66,675.12, its weakest since October 2024, a month before Trump won the US election.

Fintech

HKMA launches quantum readiness and cybersecurity projects for banks in AI era

Banking regulator sets fintech road map with quantum index and measures to boost security, data quality and skills.

“Computing equals productivity, but we can’t sacrifice security while making innovations,” says Arthur Yuen of the HKMA. Photo: Eugene Lee
Bitcoin

Hong Kong crypto investors stay cautious but upbeat as bitcoin sell-off deepens

Bitcoin’s steep pullback has rattled global crypto markets, but in Hong Kong clearer rules on stablecoins are underpinning confidence.

Hong Kong is hoping to position itself as a digital asset hub. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong is hoping to position itself as a digital asset hub. Photo: Shutterstock
Accounting and auditing

Hong Kong accounting firms plan hiring spree and embrace AI to attract talent

KPMG, Deloitte and EY boost hiring and invest in AI to lift efficiency and attract talent amid rising demand for tech-savvy professionals.

Fintech

Why Hong Kong is emerging as the world’s AI crossroads between East and West

Hong Kong’s AI sector comprises 500 organisations, 290 companies and 183 investors active in finance, healthcare and government services.

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IPO

HashKey shares debut flat in Hong Kong amid bitcoin bear market

The firm, one of 11 licensed virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong, raised US$206 million in the city’s first crypto-native IPO.

HashKey executives and other exchange and government officials at the gong-striking ceremony to mark the company’s trading debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Photo: Karma Lo
HashKey executives and other exchange and government officials at the gong-striking ceremony to mark the company’s trading debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Photo: Karma Lo
Blockchain

Coins in sand: how the UAE draws in the global crypto community

At Abu Dhabi Finance Week, insiders give credit to the UAE’s regulatory infrastructure and institutional adoption of digital assets.

Banking & finance

Swift tests blockchain with Ant International and HSBC in cross-border trial

By using the ISO 20022 messaging standard, the partners say they can make tokenised deposits interoperable with legacy systems.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin drops below US$90,000 as AI worries sour risk appetite

The fall signals renewed market jitters after the historic crypto crash in October.

Standard Chartered slashes expectations that bitcoin would hit US$200,000 by the end of 2025, lowering its forecast to US$100,000. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong

Crypto exchange Gate weighs Hong Kong licence return amid high compliance costs

Hong Kong’s policies pose some difficulties and covering the cost of operating locally is difficult, founder and CEO Lin Han says.

Lin Han, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Gate. Photo: Handout
Lin Han, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Gate. Photo: Handout
Blockchain

Chinese industry bodies issue RWA tokenisation warning amid Beijing’s crackdown

This was the mainland associations’ first warning to members as Chinese authorities have explicitly targeted RWA tokenisation.

Blockchain

Crypto giant Binance appoints co-founder He Yi as co-CEO

He, who has children together with founder Zhao Changpeng, will share the title with Richard Teng.

IPO

Hong Kong crypto exchange HashKey wins listing nod in test of investor appetite

HashKey could raise around US$300 million this month amid Hong Kong’s push to develop its digital asset sector.

HashKey is one of 11 licensed virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
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