Building on this strong foundation, Hong Kong’s dynamic fintech industry is poised to maintain its growth trajectory, with the government unveiling earlier this month at the Hong Kong Fintech Week 2025 a series of new initiatives designed to modernize the financial system, boost the adoption artificial intelligence (AI), and encourage the development of tokenization.

This thriving ecosystem has made Hong Kong a premier destination for fintech events, attracting global industry leaders to explore opportunities and tackle emerging challenges.

Among the many conferences scheduled in the months to come, the following 15 are standing as the most significant gatherings in the last quarter of 2025 and 2026. These event are expected to bring together top decision-makers, regulators, and innovators to shape the future of the sector.

Top Fintech Events to Attend in Hong Kong in Q4 2025

AVCJ Private Equity Forum 2025

November 17-20, 2025

Four Seasons Hotel and Online, Hong Kong

The AVCJ Private Equity Forum is a leading event for private equity in Asia. From November 17 to 20, 2025, over 3,400 senior professionals, including 900 limited partners (LPs) from 44 countries, will come together for four days of expert panels, real-world case studies, and quality networking.

Participants will get to gain insights into how firms are handling today’s macro and geopolitical headwinds, and explore the trends shaping the future of private equity across the region. They’ll get to hear directly from LPs about capital allocation, meet private wealth investors moving into alternatives, and see how general partners (GPs) are adapting their fundraising and liquidity strategies.

Key themes this year will include the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in private markets, local sourcing strategies, and new approaches to value creation. The program will include the ESG Summit on November 17, the PE, VC & LP Summits on November 18, and the Investment Summit on November 19 and 20.

Key sessions will include:

• The current state of play of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards;
• Climate and net zero transition: managing opportunities and risks;
• The Asian middle market;
• Value creation: Inside the contemporary playbook; and
• Private wealth: Penetrating an under-penetrated region.

Speakers will include:

• Anders Strömblad, Senior Adviser, Second Swedish National Pension Fund (AP2);
• Daniel Zhang, Managing Partner, FirstLight Capital;
• David Gross, Co-Managing Partner, Bain Capital;
• Gaurav Trehan, Partner, Co-Head of KKR Asia Pacific, Head of Asia Pacific Private Equity, KKR Asia Pacific;
• Michael Brandmeyer, Global Head & Chief Investment Officer, External Investing Group (XIG), Goldman Sachs Asset Management; and
• Phillip Wong, Head of Private Markets, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

NEXX CFO Forum 2025

November 19, 2025

Google’s office, Tower2, Times Square, Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, HKI Hong Kong

The NEXX CFO Forum 2025, taking place on November 19, will bring together senior financial executives, CXOs, and technology leaders across industries for an afternoon of strategic insights and interactive dialogue.

The event will feature keynote presentations, expert panels, and discussions on leveraging AI to drive enterprise impact, strengthen governance, and deliver measurable business outcomes. Attendees will explore AI-driven innovation and financing strategies for retail and brand growth while connecting with peers, thought leaders, and technology partners.

Strategic partners include Google Cloud, HGC Communications, and GoGBA Business Support Centre, with City University, College of Business, serving as academic partner.

Sessions will include:

• Scaling AI for Enterprise Impact: Forging Robust Security, Governance, and Privacy Frameworks with Actionable Metrics;
• AI-Driven Capital: Business Innovation and Financing Growth, and Measuring ROI for Retail and Brands;
• A Keynote speech from Prof. Alvin Leung, Associate Dean, College of Business , City University of Hong Kong; and
• Award Ceremony of NEXX AI in Corporate Innovation and Transformation Awards 2025.

Insurtech Insights Asia 2025

December 03-04, 2025

Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong

Insurtech Insights Asia is one of the region’s largest insurance innovation conferences, connecting over 5,000 industry leaders, 300+ speakers, and facilitating more than 20,000 meetings. The 2025 edition, taking place on December 03 and 04, will address the transformative impact of AI, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), blockchain, and emerging technologies on underwriting, distribution, claims, and risk management.

Participants will gain insights into intelligent underwriting, digital distribution, cyber risk mitigation, health and wellness solutions, specialty insurance, marine insurance, and captive structures. They will learn about practical strategies to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and drive business growth. They will also get to expand their expand their network, create new opportunities, and meet with and attract talents of tomorrow.

This year’s headliners will include:

• Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Hong Kong Government;
• Huynh Thanh Phong, Group CEO, FWD;
• Kevin Strain, President & CEO, Sun Life;
• Edward Moncreiffe, CEO, Insurance, HSBC Life;
• Clement Cheung, CEO, Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority; and
• Lawrence Lam, CEO, Hong Kong, Prudential.

Top Fintech Events to Attend in Hong Kong in 2026

Digital Asset Innovators Summit Asia 2026

January 22-23, 2026

Hong Kong

The digital asset industry stands at a pivotal inflection point. Recognition of digital assets as a legitimate asset class is rising among traditional financial players. At the same time, stablecoins are increasingly challenging the foundations of legacy payment systems, while the rapid tokenization of real-world assets raises both unprecedented opportunities and growing skepticism.

The Digital Asset Innovators Summit (DAIS) is Asia’s premier platform dedicated to the future of digital asset. Positioned at the intersection of traditional finance and the crypto-native world, the event, each year,  brings together leading financial institutions, innovative infrastructure and technology providers, and influential policymakers to exchange insights, explore strategies, and confront emerging challenges.

With over 500 participants, 50+ speakers, and 200 companies represented, this year’s event will explore growth opportunities in Hong Kong’s digital asset market, institutional adoption strategies, resilient crypto investment frameworks, stablecoin regulation, and tokenization of real-world assets. Participants will get to hear from top decision-makers, including:

• Rocky Tung, Director and Head of Policy Research, Financial Services Development Council;
• King Leung, Global Head of Financial Service, Fintech and Sustainability, InvestHK;
• Abdelhamid Bizid, PhD, Head of APAC Product Development, Active & Alternatives, Head of Product, China Global Product Solutions (GPS), BlackRock;
• Chetan Karkhanis, SVP, Digital Advisory & Wealth Management, Franklin Templeton;
• John Cahill, Chief Operating Officer Asia, Galaxy Digital;
• Elton Cheung, Managing Partner, VMS Group;
• Fiorenzo Manganiello, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, LIAN Group;
• Thomas Zhu, Chief Executive Officer, AlloyX;
• Bugra Celik, Director, Digital Assets and Currencies, HSBC;
• Emma Pecenicic, Head of Digital Propositions and Partnerships, Asia Pacific ex-Japan, Fidelity International
• Kevin Lee, Chief Business Officer, Gate;
• Kayan Chan, Head of Digital Assets Business Development, UBS;
• Ronald Poon, Executive Director APAC, AMINA Bank;
• Miles Mok, Head of Client Coverage, Business Banking, ZA Bank;
• Giselle Lai, Associate Investment Director, Digital Assets, Fidelity International;
• Michael Ashby, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, AlgoQuant;
• Peng Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Cango Inc.;
• Freddy Wong, Head of Product, Asia Pacific, Invesco;
• Brian Chan, Group CIO & Group Head of Investment and Products, VSFG; and
• Lareina Wang, Chairman, Fintech Association of Hong Kong.

Asian Financial Forum 2026

January 26-27, 2026

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong

The Asian Financial Forum 2026, taking place on January 26 and 27, will convene more than 3,600 participants from 60 countries to explore the latest in fintech, investment, and economic policy. With over 130 global speakers and 140 exhibitors, AFF 2026 will provide a platform for deal-making, investor matchmaking, and strategic dialogue.

Participants will gain access to more than 720 meetings, 560 projects, and insights from leading institutional investors. They will get to connect with the region’s top investors and meet with potential business partners from around the world.

Digital Assets Week

February 04-05, 2026

Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Digital Assets Week, taking place on February 04 and 05 in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will bridge institutional finance, infrastructure, and regulatory bodies to advance the tokenization and digitalization of financial assets.

The program will provide insights into regulatory developments, institutional adoption, and market trends for digital securities and digital assets. Attendees will include banks, investors, VCs, private equity firms, crypto platforms, and decentralized finance (DeFi) innovators.

Liquidity 2026

February 09, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong

Liquidity is an institutional summit connecting digital, tokenized, and traditional assets. The 2026 edition, taking place at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong, will explore multi-asset trading, blockchain applications, regulatory coordination, and institutional risk management, bringing together an estimated 1,000 attendees, 400 institutions, and 20+ sponsors.

With the theme “Bridging Digital Assets and Traditional Finance: Building the Next Generation of Multi-Asset Financial Infrastructure,” the summit will highlight the accelerating convergence of digital assets, tokenized products, and traditional finance, underscoring the industry’s entry into a new era of multi-asset integration.

Participants will get to hear insight content and market trends, gain in-depth perspectives from global leaders on the evolution of digital, tokenized, and traditional assets, and engage with a diverse community of professionals and institutions across the financial and digital asset ecosystem. They will also get to participate in focused discussions, expert panels, and small-group dialogues designed to foster deeper understanding of industry trends, risk management, compliance practices, and policy developments worldwide.

Key discussion themes will include:

• The future of multi-asset trading and allocation: integrating digital assets, tokenized products, and traditional markets;
• Global regulatory developments and cross-border coordination;
• Institutional strategies and risk management in a multi-asset landscape;
• Applications of blockchain, custody, and clearing technologies across markets; and
• Building sustainable institutional-grade financial infrastructure and ecosystems.

Speakers at the event will include:

• Giovanni Vicioso, Executive Director Equity and Alternative Products, CME Group;
• David Hui, Chief Commercial Officer, DBS Digital Exchange;
• Mr Joseph H. L. Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of Hong Kong SAR;
• Andrew Crawford, Vice President, Digital Assets, Franklin Templeton;
• Kevin Lee, Chief Business Officer, Gate.io;
• Kishelle Blaize-Cameron, Deputy Director, Specialised Supervision, BVI Financial Services Commission; and
• Andrew Wong, Executive Director, UBS.

Consensus Hong Kong 2026

February 10-12, 2026

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong

Consensus Hong Kong will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 10 to 12, 2026, expanding its footprint following a sold-out debut that attracted nearly 10,000 attendees from over 100 countries and generated an estimated HK$275 million for the local economy.

The 2026 edition will convene global leaders for deal-making and accelerated business growth, offering unparalleled opportunities in one of the world’s most rapidly scaling markets for crypto adoption. It will feature four dedicated summits:

• The Open Money Summit, covering institutional adoption, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and tokenization; The AI & Robotics Summit, exploring Web3 applications and emerging technologies;
• The Global Bitcoin Summit, focusing on infrastructure, mining, and monetary policy; and
• The Asia Macro Summit, highlighting blockchain innovation across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Exploration tracks will span key industry sectors including DeFi, stablecoins, advanced trading, staking, real-world asset tokenization, and brand integration of crypto tools, and sessions will address regulatory frameworks, technical innovations, and market adoption challenges shaping the digital asset ecosystem.

Speakers will include:

• Lily Liu, President, Solana Foundation;
• Richard Teng, CEO, Binance;
• Tom Lee, Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager, Fundstrat Capital (NYSE: GRNY); Co-founder & Head of Research, Fundstrat; Chairman of the Board, Bitmine Immersion (NYSE: BMNR);
• Yimei Li, Chief Executive Officer, China Asset Management;
• Mike Belshe, CEO & Co-Founder, BitGo;
• Justin Sun, Founder, TRON;
• Irene Gao, President of Mining, BITMAIN;
• Asher Genoot, Board Member, American Bitcoin;
• Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands; and
• Ella Zhang, Head, YZi Labs.

The inaugural 2025 event featured 300+ speakers from the Hong Kong government, global regulatory bodies, and industry leaders including Circle, Coinbase, and Google, with 350+ side events across the city.

6th annual Technology for Change Asia

March 11-12 2026

Hopewell Hotel Hong Kong, 15 Kennedy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

The 6th annual Technology for Change Asia, organized by the Economist Newspaper, will take place on March 11 and 12, 2026, bringing together more than 700 decision-makers together to explore actionable technology strategies for business growth.

The 2026 edition will cover AI, quantum computing, tokenization, smart logistics, and intelligent cities, and will combine expert-led sessions, workshops, and networking to help businesses adopt emerging technologies with measurable impact.

Key sessions will include:

• Tariff and tech disruption: a roadmap for Asia;
• Regional approaches to AI governance in Asia;
• Towards quantum readiness: infrastructure, standards and policy;
• Decoding tokenization: Asia’s race to digitize real-world assets;
• IP and copyright: making AI robust, reliable and fair;
• Smart finance for smart factories: driving Asia’s manufacturing;
• Hype to enterprise: scaling agentic AI across Asia;
• Smart logistics: intelligent port and distribution networks; and
• New mobility and intelligent cities: driving prosperity.

Speakers will include:

• Aseem Puri, Digital CEO, Unilever;
• Karen Tan, Chief Information Officer, Asia-Pacific, DHL Express;
• Steven Yau, Chief Information Officer, Asia-Pacific, Estée Lauder;
• Rajat Kumar Jain, Managing Director, Nestlé Singapore;
• Spencer Lam, Chief Technology Officer, Shangri-La Group;
• Glen Seto, Chief Technology Officer, Jardine Matheson;
• Ahmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil, Director, ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat;
• Ying Huang, Chief Technology Officer, ASTRI – Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute;
• Benjamin Ang, Chief Data Officer (Policy), AI Singapore;
• Jason Zhang, Vice-President of Digital Products, Marriott China;
• Boris Hajduk, Group Chief Information Security Officer, GoTo Group;
• Nick Gibson, President, Asia-Pacific, Glydways;
• Sam Majid, Chief Executive, National AI Office, Malaysia;
• Sally Chen, Resident Representative for Hong Kong, International Monetary Fund;
• Haksoo Ko, Chairperson, Personal Information Protection Commission, South Korea;
• Helen Wong, Managing Partner, AC Ventures;
• Louis Shun, Chief Information Officer, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong;
• Raymond Lam, Chief Superintendent, Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, Hong Kong;
• Kevin Teo, Chief Technology Officer and Head of ImpactCollab, AVPN;
• George Fanthome, Chief Information Officer, Bangalore International Airport;
• Evan Auyang, Group President, Animoca Brands;
• Sevgi Seckiner, Regional Industry Manager, East Asia and the Pacific, International Finance Corporation; and
• Alan Ng, Founder and Chief Executive, QuikBot Technologies.

InsurInnovator Connect Asia 2026

March 25-26, 2026

Hong Kong

InsurInnovator Connect (IIC) Asia is a premier insurance innovation summit, bringing together the region’s leading insurers, reinsurers, regulators, insurtech startups, and technology partners. The 2026 edition, taking place on March 25 and 26, aims to serve as the ultimate platform to explore how insurance in Asia is being reshaped, offering unparalleled access to visionary leadership insights, cutting-edge technology discussions, and practical case studies

The event will feature two flagship forums:

• The 6th Insurance Analytics & AI Innovation Asia 2026 (IAAI Asia 2026), which will help industry stakeholders navigate the next wave of insurance transformation, and explore how AI, advanced analytics, and data ecosystems are transforming underwriting, pricing, claims, distribution, and risk management—helping insurers move from pilots to enterprise-wide impact; and
• The 7th Health Insurance Innovation Congress Asia 2026 (HIIC ASIA 2026), which will delve into AI-driven health insurance, and undercover how digital health, AI-powered customer experience, new product models, and smart claims innovation are enabling health insurers to improve affordability, sustainability, and customer confidence across Asia.

LEAP East 2026

July 08-10, 2026

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong

LEAP’s flagship tech event in Saudi Arabia is driving a worldwide movement. The event is now expanding eastward with LEAP East, striving to create in Hong Kong a new global tech hub where groundbreaking ideas will bridge worlds.

The 2026 LEAP East edition, taking place from July 08 to 10, will showcase groundbreaking research, transformative technologies, and emerging opportunities across every sector, including AI, robotics, fintech, gaming, Web3, and smart cities. It’s expected to bring together over 200 speakers, 300 exhibitors, and 200 investors with startups and industry leaders,

Highlights will include:

• The LEAP East Main Stage, where participants will get to hear first-hand from tech visionaries, influencers, and the who’s who of the industry as they share insights, experiences, and groundbreaking breakthroughs in technology;
• The Global Exhibition, where they will get to discover the latest trends, technologies, and tools that could make the businesses and organizations more tech-enabled;
• LEAP East Nights, their gateway to events, receptions, and social gatherings designed to offer a space to unwind, connect, and build meaningful relationships with industry peers; and
• The DeepFest at LEAP East, where AI, robotics, deep tech and investment will come together.

Speakers will include:

• H.E. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia;
• Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion, InvestHK;
• Jerry Li, Founder & Managing Partner, ewpartners;
• Michael Spranger, President, Sony AI;
• Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund; and
• Sunghyun Park, Co-Founder & CEO, Rebellions Inc.

Blending innovation, investment, and collaboration across a global tech ecosystem, the event will also feature networking and investor programs designed to facilitate discussions and negotiations between the East and the West. These will allow participants to explore potential joint initiatives and partnerships, and let them connect with visionary investors, entrepreneurs and disruptive startups that are shaping the tech industry.

Bitcoin Hong Kong 2026

August 27-28, 2026

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong

BTC Inc., the organizer of the world’s largest Bitcoin conferences, is returning to Hong Kong on August 27 and 28, 2026, with its flagship Asian conference, Bitcoin Hong Kong 2026. The event promises a leading global platform for Bitcoin and digital asset thought leadership, gathering developers, investors, policymakers, and innovators to discuss market developments, adoption trends, and technological innovation.

Past speakers of the Bitcoin Conference series have included Eric Trump, CZ, Belaji Srinivasan, Adam Back, Bilal Bin Saquib and Dr. Xiao Feng. The 2025 Asia edition saw over 20,000 sold passes, with workshops, exhibitions, and networking opportunities driving industry collaboration.

APAC Fin.Tech Marketing Conference 2026

September 22, 2026

Hong Kong

The APAC Fin.Tech Marketing Conference 2026, scheduled on September 22, will unite senior business and marketing leaders from financial services and fintech to exchange best practices and drive growth through cutting-edge go-to-market strategies.

Participants will get to gain insights on unique innovative ways to drive new customer acquisition and retention, and greater operational efficiency. They will also gain knowledge on strategies to accelerate marketing automation, and reduce marketing costs.

Bringing together more than 200 senior executives, influencers, and decision-makers, the APAC Fin.Tech Marketing Conference 2026 will provide a unique opportunity for participants to share best practices, challenge conventional thinking, and learn from industry pioneers shaping the future of financial marketing.

Across an immersive day of keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, attendees will gain actionable insights into the strategies and tools driving new customer acquisition and retention, greater operational efficiency, and marketing automation.

Banking Summit Asia

September 22, 2026

Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong

With 2026 set to be a decisive year for global markets, Asia’s banks sit at the centre of a shifting financial order. Geopolitical volatility, divergent regulation and trade realignments are colliding with rapid digital transformation, forcing institutions to rethink resilience and strategy. Persistent inflation, fragile interest rate cycles and escalating competition from digital-native players and super-apps are reshaping customer expectations and capital flows across the region.

Against this backdrop, Asian leadership is critical. The Banking Summit Asia will return to Hong Kong on September 22 as the Financial Times’ flagship platform for senior banking leaders. Across two days, CEOs and CXOs from across Asia will debate how the region’s financial institutions can navigate disruption, capture growth and define the next chapter of global banking, examining the future of Asian banking in an era of uncertainty and transformation.

Key themes will include:

• The pan-Asian banking ecosystem: What do customers demand as economies develop and scale?
• Digital transformation: How is the fintech and digital banking landscape shaping up?
• Combating fraud: How are financial crime and fraud prevention measures evolving?
• Geopolitics and the global economy: How will Asia compete amid mounting instability?
• China’s future in the region: How critical is China to the success of banks in the region and wider world?
• The payments landscape: As customer habits evolve, how do banks need to adapt?

Previous world-leading speakers have included:

• Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of the Hong Kong;  Special Administrative Region, Financial Services, and the Treasury Bureau;
• Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority;
• Serey Chea, Governor, National Bank of Cambodia;
• Kevin Sneader, President of Asia Pacific Ex-Japan, Goldman Sachs;
• Huynh Thanh Phong, OBE, Group Chief, Executive Officer, and Executive Director, FWD Group;
• Rachel Huf, Hong Kong CEO and General Counsel, Asia Barclays;
• Jo Miyake, Head of Banking, Asia and Middle East Corporate and Institutional Banking, HSBC; and
• Samarth Bansal, Wise Platform General Manager, Asia Pacific, Wise.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by bloodua via Freepik

The post Top 15 Fintech Events to Attend in Hong Kong in Q4 2025 until Q3 2026 appeared first on Fintech Hong Kong.

Co-located with the StartmeupHK Festival 2025, Hong Kong Fintech Week 2025 marked the tenth edition of the city’s flagship fintech event, welcoming a combined 45,000 visitors from over 120 economies, representing a new record. Combined, the events featured more than 1,000 distinguished speakers, 800 exhibitors and 30 Chinese Mainland and international delegations.

Running under the theme “Curating the New Fintech Era”, Hong Kong Fintech Week 2025 emphasized the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and tokenization, as well as the role of regulators in supporting innovation while safeguarding financial stability. Panels and discussions also explored trends such as open banking, payment modernization, and digital transformation, highlighting how these developments are reshaping financial services and the broader economy.

Hong Kong: a prominent fintech hub and gateway to Mainland China

The main conference kicked off on November 03, 2025, with opening remarks by John Lee, Chief Executive of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR. Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s new era of innovation, grounded in collaboration and a focus on helping companies scale globally. He emphasized Hong Kong’s burgeoning fintech industry, which now hosts 1,200 fintech companies from around the world, and highlighted Hong Kong’s collaborative approach to scaling businesses internationally.

Later that day, a panel with Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR; Georges Elhedery, Group Chief Executive of HSBC; and Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, stressed Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between global businesses and China, and as a launchpad for Mainland Chinese companies going global.

Panelists noted that Hong Kong will surpass Switzerland as the world’s top cross-border wealth management hub, powered by its strong financial ecosystem and integration with the Greater Bay Area. The city is also increasingly connected to regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia, reinforcing its status as a leading international financial centre and fintech hub.

Lu Lei, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), emphasized in his keynote the growing cooperation between Mainland China and Hong Kong, which now span next‑generation technologies, interoperable cross‑border payments, and digital RMB use cases.

Hong Kong doubles down on fintech, AI, tokenization

In his keynote address, Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), unveiled the central bank’s “Fintech 2030” strategy as the city enters its “Fintech 3.0 Era” where technology is embedded into daily life. This strategy, structured around the data, AI, resilience and tokenization (DART) roadmap, aims to cement Hong Kong as a robust, resilient, future-ready hub.

It includes over 40 initiatives across four pillars:

• Creating next-generation data and payment infrastructure to support secure, efficient and scalable data sharing, and bolster cross-border payment connectivity;
• Implementing the new “Artificial Intelligence x Authorized Institutions” (AI2) Strategy, which will focus on driving the comprehensive and responsible adoption of AI across the financial sector in Hong Kong and beyond, as well as developing shared, scalable AI infrastructure and finance-specific models in collaboration with industry stakeholders;
• Enhancing business, technology and quantum resilience, notably through the launch of a new fintech-specific cybersecurity certification framework and a new system of early detection through real-time analysis; and
• Building a vibrant tokenization ecosystem by accelerating the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), including financial assets, regularizing the issuance of tokenized government bonds, and exploring the concept of tokenizing the exchange fund papers.

These initiatives will build on already high levels of adoption of technology in the financial services sector. Approximately 75% of Hong Kong’s financial institutions have already either adopted or piloted generative AI, according to HKMA, with hopes to increase this to over 87% within three to five years.

Regulating digital assets and stablecoins

During a fireside chat, Julia Leung, CEO of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), discussed two new circulars issued on November 03, aimed at attracting global liquidity and expanding the range of products and services offered by digital asset platforms.

The guidance allows licensed virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) to link their order books with affiliated overseas platforms to access international liquidity, improve pricing, and offer more seamless trading for Hong Kong investors. It also permits trading in new virtual assets and tokenized securities for professional investors and allow associated entities to provide custody services.

Leung also said that the SFC intends to expand the licensing regime to cover not only dealing, but VA advice and VA management, and is currently in discussion with the government. She shared that ensuing requirements will primarily focus on managing the risk to private keys.

Due to the high risk nature of VA custody, Leung stressed that the SFC expects to license only the most robust and reliable players in Hong Kong to ensure it remains a sustainable, trustworthy environment.

In his keynote, Eric Yip, Executive Director of Intermediaries at the SFC, discussed the SFC’s strategy of “moving steadfast” in digital asset regulation, emphasizing the importance of stability over speed in digital asset development.

Yip pointed to significant progress in recent times, noting a doubling of licensed entities since 2024 and the release of the ASPIRe roadmap in February this year.

Later that day, the “Tech Megatrends and the Next $1 Trillion Asset Class” panel explored the regulation and adoption of stablecoins, noting that 11 jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the UK, the US, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are already regulating stablecoins to varying degrees and driving innovation in cross-border payments, reflecting a global recognition of their potential to enhance financial efficiency, and liquidity.

The potential of blockchain

During a fireside chat, Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton, shared the firm’s digital innovation strategy, emphasizing its pioneering role as the only asset manager operating a tokenized money market fund natively on a public blockchain. This has allowed for intraday payments, and has lowered account minimums from US$500 to US$20, enhancing financial inclusion.

Franklin Templeton is now integrating tokenized funds with stablecoins and collaborating with crypto exchanges like Binance, which has 270 million wallets, to bring traditional investment products to digital platforms.

Johnson also highlighted Franklin Templeton’s use of AI to improve lending and investment decisions, leveraging micro-signals to identify risk and improve outcomes.

Modernizing cross-border payments

In a panel discussion titled “Cross-Border Finance: The Joint Role of Banks and Fintech in Modern Payment Rails”, Maggie Ng, CEO and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth, Hong Kong, at HSBC, highlighted the growing demand for faster, more transparent, and low-cost solutions.

The panelists also addressed the rise of fraud and emerging risks, with Ng explaining HSBC’s shift in fraud detection from a strict “zero-loss tolerance” approach to one that treats “acceptable mistakes” as learning opportunities. The bank now leverages data, blockchain, and AI to power tokenized deposits and real-time fraud monitoring.

Forest Lin, Corporate Vice President, Head of Tencent Financial Technology, Tencent, said that his company employs deep learning and AI to detect suspicious transactions and enhance trust in cross-border payments.

Transforming trade and SME financing

The “AI & Data Innovation in Cross-Border Trade and SME Financing” panel explored how the latest innovation in AI is transforming trade and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing.

In Hong Kong, SMEs represent over 98% of enterprises and employ more than 45% of private sector workers. Yet, they still face a lack of resources, complex cross-border payments, and regulatory compliance, which companies like Aspire, FundPark and LianLian Global are addressing.

FundPark, a trade finance solution provider, employs an AI-enabled platform that’s able to deliver credit decision in under 180 seconds. The company claims it has distributed over US$6 billion in loans, supporting more than 32,000 shop fronts, with over US$3 billion advanced in the past year alone.

LianLian Global, a cross-border payment specialist, standardizes KYC services and aggregates data for smoother cross-border transactions.

Finally, Aspire, a Singaporean business banking services provider, automates multiple KYC steps to reduce onboarding time by 55%, and eliminate cash flow delays.

Digital transformation in the banking sector

In the “Personal Banking in the Platform Era: Trust, Technology, and Cross-Border Access” panel, banking leaders examined how technology is reshaping financial services.

Arnold Chow, General Manager, Personal Banking Product Department, Bank of China (Hong Kong), shared the bank’s successful digital transformation journey in the past five years, reaching 30% market share in some key products and improving efficiency ratios by 8%. He explained Bank of China’s use of AI for wealth, risk protection, and staff training, and said that the bank’s goal is now to expand digital partnerships both within and beyond the Greater Bay Area.

Alfian Sharifuddin, Managing Director and Head of Technology and Operations Hong Kong and Mainland China, DBS Bank (Hong Kong), highlighted the need for trust in AI and the challenge posed by AI hallucinations.

To address this, DBS developed a framework utilizing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), enabling its Large Language Model (LLM) to operate in a controlled environment and reduce hallucination risks.

Key corporate announcements

Hong Kong Fintech Week 2025 also featured several corporate announcements.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) announced the opening of an official office in Hong Kong to promote the sustainable development of infrastructure in the region.

The AIIB is a multilateral development bank and international financial institution that aims to improve economic and social outcomes in Asia.

The organization chose Hong Kong for its role as a hub connecting long-term capital and digital finance innovation to meet sustainability goals, Liqun Jin, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said.

WeBank, China’s first digital bank, announced plans to establish Hong Kong as the regional innovation and sales hub for its subsidiary WeBank Technology Services. WeBank Technology Services offers digital finance and infrastructure solutions to clients worldwide. It has already expanded into markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, engaging with over 20 potential partners and securing cooperation agreements worth over US$100 million.

Tencent, meanwhile, showcased innovations in borderless payments, AI, and cloud-powered financial ecosystems. Its affiliate, Tencent Cloud, now supports over 10,000 financial customers across 20 countries and regions, with recent projects that include helping Fusion Bank complete a next-generation core-banking system migration and supporting Airstar Bank’s full move to cloud operations.

Finally, the Ant Group announced that it is expanding cross-border services from Hong Kong, supporting Mainland Chinese enterprises with cross-border payments, trade financing, and accounts.

The initiative supports the city’s GoGlobal Task Force, launched by the Hong Kong government as a platform to assist Mainland Chinese enterprises in expanding internationally by using Hong Kong as a strategic platform. The task force aims primarily to help them overcome challenges in international payments, and regulatory compliance.

Hong Kong as a global startup hub

This year, Hong Kong Fintech Week was jointly presented with the StartmeupHK Festival. The StartmeupHK is a government initiative launched in 2015 to help international startups set up or expand in Hong Kong.

Since its launch, the initiative has helped grow the city’s startup ecosystem from 1,600 to 4,700 startups, marking a 10% year-on-year increase, according to Algernon Yau, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

Looking ahead, the government remains committed to supporting SMEs and startups, he said. For example, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau has recently introduced the Economic and Trade Express to support local SMEs and startups in exploring business opportunities in overseas markets. The government is also planning to expand the network and coverage of its overseas economic and trade offices (ETOs) to cover Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The new ETO is expected to commence operation by end of this year.

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This upward trend is expected to continue, as financial institutions maintain strong investment in technology and increasingly embrace innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technology (DLT).

Regtech adoption in Hong Kong reached 97% in 2025, making it one of the most mature fintech verticals in Hong Kong. This near-universal adoption reflects the strategic importance institutions are placing on leveraging technology to enhance risk management while reducing operational costs, amid a shifting regulatory landscape.

Within regtech, the strongest growth 2022 to 2025 was seen in governance and accountability, conduct and customer protection, and risk management, where adoption grew by 116%, 42% and 37%, respectively.

Insurtech also saw significant gains, with adoption rising from 28% to 57% between 2022 and 2025. This represents the largest increase among fintech categories. In Hong Kong, at least one-third of retail banks have already implemented insurtech, according to HKMA. It is expected that all retail banks will have adopted insurtech to support their bancassurance services by the end of 2025.

Greentech also made significant progress, with adoption growing from 26% to 45% between 2022 and 2025. This reflects growing institutional focus on sustainable finance and climate risk management.

Finally, wealthtech adoption rose from 43% to 52% during the same period, underscoring the sector’s ongoing investment in enhancing investment services through digital platforms and automated advisory solutions. This growth is being driven by rising customer expectations for more sophisticated digital wealth management offerings.

AI and DLT drive innovation

Booming adoption of fintech in the financial services industry is accompanied by increased implementation of AI and DLT. In 2025, AI usage climbed to 75%, up from 59% in 2022, while DLT adoption rose from 30% to 45%.

Many institutions are moving from experimentation to operational implementation. In May 2025, Citigroup introduced Citi AI, a suite of AI tools for its employees in Hong Kong. The tools support internal operations including information retrieval from Citi’s policy library, document summarization and creation of electronic communications drafts among others.

That same month, HSBC launched its Tokenised Deposit Service for corporate clients in Hong Kong, claiming the first bank-led blockchain-based settlement service in the city. In its initial phase, the service supports treasury management with real-time HKD and USD payments between corporate wallets, as well as tokenization use cases settlements.

Future growth outlook

Looking ahead, AI and DLT are expected to continue driving innovation across all fintech domains. For example, in wealthtech and regtech, approximately 80% of anticipated use cases that will reach advanced maturity levels or higher are expected to be supported by AI and DLT. For greentech, this proportion is estimated to reach about 70% of advanced use cases, while in insurtech, around 60% of advanced implementations are expected to incorporate AI and DLT.

This momentum is backed by strong financial commitment. 95% of financial institutions plan to maintain or increase their fintech investments over the next three years, with half anticipating budget growth of 10% to 20%.

Financial institutions are also adoption a more strategic approach to technology spending. On average, 43% of technology budgets are allocated to in-house solution development, 30% to vendor partnerships, and 21% to critical support activities. This suggests a more balanced approach, underscoring growing recognition that successful digital transformation requires both new capabilities and robust operational foundations.

Persistent challenges

Despite progress, institutions face increasingly complex challenges. High implementation costs was cited by 75% of respondents as a primary concern, particularly for technologies requiring significant infrastructure investments or specialized expertise. Other major concerns include risks tied to new technologies (73%), such as cybersecurity, operational disruptions, and regulatory compliance issues, as well as challenges relating to integrating new technologies with existing systems (71%), as institutions must navigate complex technical environments while maintaining operational continuity.

HKMA’s Tech Maturity Stock-take study, conducted in January 2025, covers 56 submissions from authorized institutions. It examines both the quantitative progress in technology progress and the qualitative aspects of implementation maturity, aiming to provide insights into the evolution of fintech in the banking sector over the past few years and the challenges that lie ahead.

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The initiative aims to strengthen economic cooperation and exchanges between mainland China and Hong Kong.

To enhance financial connectivity, the HKMA and PBoC have launched measures linking mainland China’s Internet Banking Payment System with Hong Kong’s Faster Payment System.

This integration enables real-time, small-value cross-boundary payments for residents in both regions.

Commenting on the initiative, Wendy Yuen, Head of the Personal & Business Banking Group at CNCBI, said:

“As cross-border spending continues to boom, exchanges between mainland China and Hong Kong are more frequent. Residents of the two regions share such rhyme and rhythm of their daily activities with each other. Higher expectations are placed on payment system efficiency. This is where Payment Connect comes into play.”

She added:

“Rooted in Hong Kong for more than a century, China CITIC Bank International boosts intimate knowledge of the economy and social development on both sides of the border. Riding on its strength in fintech and niches as CNCB’s offshore platform, CNCBI will remain active in connectivity related initiatives and will spare no efforts in facilitating economic interaction and development for mainland China and Hong Kong.”

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According to a new report by Quinlan and Associates, and Allfunds Asia, a staggering 93% of Hong Kong investors have accessed digital wealth services in the past two years. This surpasses Singapore’s figure of eight percentage points, which stands at 85%.

Further illustrating this trend, 74% of Hong Kong investors reported using robo-advisors, 15 points higher than Singapore. Additionally, 52% said they are comfortable receiving guidance from artificial intelligence (AI), compared to just 27% in Singapore, representing a gap of 25 points.

Hong Kong investors also showcase greater engagement with digital channels, especially self-service via the Internet, mobile apps, and online chats with wealth managers and advisors. These investors increasingly favor digital-first interactions, unlike their Singaporean counterparts who still place more value on face-to-face meetings.

The rise of neobrokers in digital wealth

While Singapore has incubated regionally recognized pure wealthtech players like Endowus and StashAway, Hong Kong is experiencing a surge in independent neobrokers expanding into digital wealth management and rapidly capturing market share.

One standout example is Futu, a leading neobroker, which has expanded into wealth management. The company, which leverages its advanced backend digital capabilities, initially targeted high net-worth individuals with at least HK$5 million worth of assets under management (AUM) before introducing a robo-advisory service to cater to the mass retail segment.

As of 2024, Futu had 600,000 wealth management clients, up 44.2% year-over-year (YoY), while AUM totaled US$12 billion, representing a 71.4% YoY increase. The company serves a total of 25 million customers globally.

Hong Kong’s independent wealthtech pioneers

In parallel with the rise of neobrokers, Hong Kong is also nurturing a new generation of wealthtech startups and digital advisory platforms.

One notable example is Kristal.ai, a digital private wealth platform founded in 2016 in Hong Kong. The company uses a proprietary advisory algorithm to build personalized portfolios, branded as “Kristals”, tailored to users’ financial goals and risk preferences. Licensed in Hong Kong, Singapore, and India, Kristal.ai claims over 50,000 users across geographies, and more than US$1.5 billion in AUM and advisory assets.

Another prominent player is Aqumon. Founded in 2016, Aqumon is a digital wealth management firm that provides robo-advisory and wealth management services. Through its proprietary algorithms and scalable, technical infrastructure, Aqumon’s automated platform empowers anyone to invest and maximize their returns.

Aqumon also provides fintech solutions to institutions, and has partnered with over 100 financial institutions, including AIA, China Resources Bank, BOCI and CMB Wing Lung Bank, since its launch.

Digital banks enter wealthtech

Hong Kong’s virtual banks have also entered the digital wealth sector, offering digital offerings that prioritize efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

In 2022, WeLab Bank, one of Hong Kong’s eight virtual banks, launched its GoWealth Digital Wealth Advisory solution, offering algorithm-driven advice for investing in mutual funds like money market,

equity, and bond funds. The solution enables users to set goals, build personalized portfolios, and rebalance without lock-up periods or hidden fees.

WeLab Bank reported strong traction for GoWealth Digital Wealth Advisory, citing it as a key driver of the bank’s growth. By December 2024, the bank achieved breakeven and noted a fourfold YoY increase in AUM from its wealth management services.

WeLab operates across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Indonesia, serving nearly 70 million individual users and over 700 enterprise clients.

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A new report produced by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), in partnership with HKUST Business School, the Fintech Association of Hong Kong (FTAHK), and the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), provides a comprehensive overview of this landscape, sharing insights form a survey of 130 fintech companies operating in the city, and exploring the growth of the sector these past couple of years.

Findings from the study indicate that Hong Kong has emerged as an attractive destination for fintech entrepreneurs. Half (50.1%) of the surveyed firms have set up their international headquarters in the city, while 30.1% have designated Hong Kong as their Asian headquarters.

This demonstrates the city’s appeal for business incorporation, particularly due to its attractive tax regime, large client pool, and generous government subsidies and funding schemes, which were all cited as key advantages of operating in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has also positioned itself as a gateway for fintech companies looking to expand across Asia. Among businesses registered in Hong Kong (83.1% of the total), most operate in mainland China (37%), Singapore (37%), and Malaysia (20.4%), reinforcing the city’s status as a regional fintech hub.

But Hong Kong’s appeal extends beyond local firms, drawing international fintech companies as well. Of the surveyed firms not registered in Hong Kong (16.9% of the total), 50% operate there, on par with the US, followed by Singapore (45.5%) and the UK (36.4%). This suggests that the Hong Kong is a highly attractive market to them.

High fintech adoption, especially among businesses

Hong Kong boasts a high level of fintech adoption rates among both consumers and businesses. According to the 2023 PolyU-Asklora Fintech Adoption Index (FAI), 94% of consumers in the city use at least one type of fintech products, while 74% indicated using at least two. Across the five key fintech product categories studied, digital payments recorded the highest adoption, with a 91% rate.

Beyond consumer fintech, Hong Kong’s business-to-business (B2B) fintech sector is also thriving. A 2024 survey conducted by fintech startup Airwallex found that three in four import and export traders operating out of Hong Kong already use fintech for payments. An overwhelming majority (90%) said they were open to incorporating more fintech solutions for foreign exchange (FX) and international transfer services.

Additionally, a 2023 study found that 38% of financial institutions in Hong Kong have adopted generative artificial intelligence (genAI), exceeding the global average of 26%. This reflects Hong Kong’s financial services industry’s robust commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies, including AI, into operations.

This trend is further evidenced by the InvestHK study, which reveals the prominence of B2B fintech in Hong Kong. Of the 130 fintech companies polled, 78.5% identified financial institutions as their target customer segment, with the top three sub-segments being banks (72.6%), asset managers (53.9%), and family offices (52.9%). Other top target customer segments include non-financial corporates (48.5%) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (42.3%).

Hong Kong’s fintech sector

Currently, over 1,100 fintech companies operate in Hong Kong, including fintech unicorns HashKey Group, WeLab and Micro Connect:

• HashKey Group is a leading Web3 infrastructure developer and virtual asset group in Asia, providing an ecosystem of products and services including a regulated exchange, custody solution, brokerage, venture capital (VC), asset management and node validation services. It’s valued at US$1.3 billion, according to CB Insights;
• WeLab offers a range of services, such as online consumer credit platforms and virtual banking, serving markets including Hong Kong, mainland China and Indonesia. It reached unicorn status in 2017 after a US$220 million funding round; and
• Micro Connect is an exchange group that leverages technology to connect global capital with micro and small businesses. It’s valued at US$1.7 billion.

Wealthtech is currently the biggest fintech vertical in Hong Kong, with 198 companies. It’s followed closely by blockchain application and software, and digital assets and cryptocurrencies, with 175 and 111 companies, respectively.

Blockchain and digital assets lead growth

Blockchain and digital assets are also the two fastest-growing verticals in Hong Kong’s fintech sector. Between 2022 and 2024, the blockchain application and software sub-sector grew by a staggering 250%, while the digital asset and cryptocurrency sub-sector increased by nearly 30%.

According to the report, these trends reflect the success of Hong Kong’s progressive policies embracing digital assets and Web3. Key initiatives include:

• The October 2022 policy statement, where the Hong Kong government shared its intent to develop the city as a hub for virtual assets. This statement included a clear regulatory framework for crypto exchanges and stablecoins, pilot projects on tokenized green bonds, central bank digital currency (CBDC) trials, and support for Web3 companies operating in Hong Kong;
• The amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) in December 2022, which introduced a new licensing regime for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). Effective June 01, 2023, the regime requires crypto exchanges operating in Hong Kong to obtain a license from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and comply with AML and investor protection rules;
• The February 2024 regulatory guidance issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), targeting banks providing digital asset custody services. These institutions are required to implement robust governance, risk management practices, and ensure the safeguarding and segregation of client digital assets; and
• The publication the Stablecoins Bill in the Gazette in December 2024, establishing a regulatory framework for issuers of fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS) in Hong Kong. The bill grants the HKMA with necessary supervision, investigation and enforcement powers, and sets out licensing requirements covering financial resources, risk management, AML/CFT, information disclosure, and more.

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Customers worldwide, including those in Hong Kong, can now send money to both mainland and non-mainland Chinese UnionPay users.

Additionally, Wise has increased transfer limits, allowing personal customers to send up to 33,000 RMB to UnionPay recipients (an increase from 18,000 RMB) and up to 50,000 RMB to WeChat recipients (up from 30,000 RMB).

Business customers sending money to UnionPay recipients will also benefit from the same higher transaction limit.

Transfers to UnionPay recipients have been made even faster, with certain transactions now credited to UnionPay cards in real time, enabling recipients to access the funds immediately.

“Many young employees working in Hong Kong under schemes like the Top Talent Pass Scheme, and Hong Kong citizens want to send a part of their income to their families in Mainland China,”

said Angel Chan, APAC Expansion Lead at Wise.

Wise has also reduced its global average fee to 0.62%, making international money transfers more affordable for both individuals and businesses.

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2024 saw the government introduce several initiatives to drive tokenization, including Project Ensemble, the EvergreenHub, and the stablecoin issuer sandbox, aimed at enhancing efficiency in fields such as capital markets and payment systems.

To promote the responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI), Hong Kong implemented new policies and launched collaborative efforts like the GenAI Sandbox, fostering innovation while addressing potential challenges in the financial services sector.

Finally, the expansion of the Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) and new measures under the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism were rolled out to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Hong Kong’s fintech sector continues to grow

In 2024, Hong Kong continued to solidify its position as a global fintech hub, with over 1,100 companies specializing in AI, Web 3.0, blockchain and other innovation tech applications operating in the space. This represents a 15% increase from 2023, highlighting the sector’s robust expansion and reflecting the city’s growing appeal for global businesses.

Between 2023 and 2024, the fastest-growing sub-sectors were digital assets, cryptocurrency, and blockchain applications; green fintech; and fintech cybersecurity.

Hong Kong’s fintech landscape is currently dominated by three key sub-sectors: digital assets, cryptocurrency and blockchain applications; wealthtech; and payments and remittances.

The city is home to over 10 unicorn companies. Notable fintech unicorns include HashKey Group, an end-to-end digital asset financial services group; ZA International, a licensed virtual bank; WeLab, an online financial company; and Airwallex, a cross-border payment service provider and more.

According to Algernon Yau, InvestHK, the government agency responsible for attracting foreign investment, supported nearly 500 enterprises in establishing offices in Hong Kong in 2024. Notably, 23% of these new businesses focus on fintech products, reflecting Hong Kong’s strength in the sector and highlighting the city’s strategic position as a “super connector” in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Hong Kong doubles down on Web 3.0 and tokenisation

Christopher Hui, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, announced in October a new law to be enacted by the end of 2024 that will extend Hong Kong’s tax concessions to a wider range of assets, including virtual assets. He added that further regulation for stablecoins and a licensing regime will be introduced next year for providers of virtual assets custodian services.

These measures are part of Hong Kong’s broader strategy to accelerate the adoption of tokenization. Key initiatives announced this year include:

• Project Ensemble, a new wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) project designed to foster tokenization in Hong Kong;
• Project Ensemble Sandbox, a platform which supports experimentation with tokenization and CBDC;
• The next phase of Project Evergreen, which explores how distributed ledger technology (DLT) could improve capital market processes and enhance market efficiency, liquidity and transparency, and the introduction of a new measures to promote wider adoption of tokenization in capital markets;
• EvergreenHub, a knowledge repository launched by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) for industry insights on digital bonds to guide issuers and investors through the tokenization process; and
• The stablecoin issuer sandbox, launched in March 2024 to allow institutions with plans to issue stablecoins in Hong Kong to conduct testing on their operational plans, as well as facilitate two-way communication on proposed regulatory requirements.

Fostering responsible AI

In October, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) issued a policy statement on responsible application of AI in the financial market.

Recognizing that the application of AI in the financial services sector has three key attributes, namely data-driven, double-edged, and dynamic, Hong Kong will be adopting a dual-track approach for AI application in the financial services sector in Hong Kong. This approach will aim to promote development of AI adoption by the financial services industry, while at the same time addressing the potential challenges.

To further support AI development, HKMA collaborated with Cyberport to introduce the GenAI Sandbox. Launched in August, the sandbox aims to facilitate interactive industry engagement, enabling HKMA to draw insights, share good practices, while keeping its guidance relevant and fit-for-purpose in the light of the latest advancements in AI.

Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem features a number of sandboxes for banking, insurance and securities. These frameworks provide a controlled space for live experimentation, allowing companies to explore novel ideas without the immediate costs and constraints of full regulatory compliance. Sandboxes are also a powerful tool for regulators to gain insights on emerging trends, enabling them to assess potential risks and determine if further regulatory action or adjustment is necessary.

As of the end of September 2024, pilot trials of 352 fintech initiatives had been allowed in the Fintech Supervisory Sandbox by HKMA. Separately, banks have collaborated with tech firms in 244 trial cases.

Expanding SME access to finance

In 2024, Hong Kong expanded the capabilities of CDI to support the digitalization of Hong Kong’s financial services industry and enhance the broader digital economy.

Launched in 2020 by HKMA, CDI is a consent-based financial data infrastructure designed to enhance data sharing by enabling financial institutions to retrieve enterprises’ commercial data, particularly from SMEs, from both public and private data providers.

In August, the linkage between HKMA’s CDI with the government’s Consented Data Exchange Gateway (CDEG) became fully operational. Through this connection, the Companies Registry (CR) became the first government data source available via CDI, allowing banks to directly access company information, such as names, registered addresses, and share capital structures, and streamlining key processes like account opening, fraud detection, and know-your-customer (KYC) procedures.

HKMA is also working on additional integrations to enhance CDI’s functionality, including with the Land Registry to improve mortgage and loan assessments for both individuals and businesses; and with the Hong Kong International Airport Cargo Data Platform to incorporate cargo logistics data to streamline lending.

Finally, HKMA is exploring pilots on cross-boundary credit referencing with Mainland China’s credit reference platforms to enhance cross-boundary banking service offerings to SMEs.

It’s also participating in Project Aperta, a cross-jurisdictional collaboration on open finance application programming interfaces (API) network to reduce frictions and costs in global finance. Initial use cases will focus on trade finance for SMEs.

CDI is one of the many initiatives launched by HKMA to assist and support SMEs. In March, a series of measures were announced to ease SMEs’ financial burdens, boost their competitiveness, and foster growth amid changing economic conditions. These measures include:

• No early repayment demands from banks participating in the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism;
• Six-month transition for credit limit changes;
• Faster loan processing under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme;
• Credit relief for struggling SMEs;
• Custom SME financial solutions, including unsecured loans and digital services;
• Lower fees and interest from participating banks;
• A one-stop information platform;
• Easier switching between banks; and
• Regular engagements with SMEs.

Since the launch of these measures, a total of around 20,000 SMEs have benefitted from these measures, involving an aggregate credit limit of over HK$44 billion, according to HKMA.

Separately, the Taskforce on SME Lending was jointly established by the HKMA and HKAB in August, looking to further strengthen the related work for supporting SMEs in obtaining bank financing at both the individual case and the industry levels.

Fintech Connect: a cross-sectoral sourcing platform

2024 also saw the launch of Fintech Connect, Hong Kong’s first cross-sectoral sourcing platform. The platform, which debuted on October 28, is designed to bridge financial institutions with fintech solution providers, fostering innovation and collaboration.

The platform aims to promote precise matching of supply and demand for fintech services, fostering collaboration and innovation within the financial sector. Itsupports Hong Kong and Qianhai-based fintech companies, fostering greater collaboration in the Greater Bay Area, and promoting mutual growth in the fintech ecosystem.

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These countries are home to some of the world’s most prominent and fast-growing fintech firms. South Korea’s Kakao Bank, a fully digital bank, serves over 23 million users, or approximately 40% of the population, while Viva Republica, the creator of the Toss platform, is valued at KRW 10-20 trillion (US$7.2 billion–US$14.5 billion). In China, Ant Group, an Alibaba affiliate, owns the popular Alipay mobile payment platform which boasts over 1.3 billion users and 80 million merchants.

East Asian nations are also recording record high levels of fintech adoption. According to the World Bank’s Findex report, 82% of adults in China made digital merchant payments in 2021, highlighting the prevalence of cashless transactions. Similarly, in South Korea, 67% of digitally active citizens have adopted digital financial services in their day-to-day lives, according to researchers at Seoul National University.

As 2024 draws to a close, we’ve compiled a list of the already announced top fintech events and conferences taking place in East Asia in 2025. These events are expected to attract large audiences of industry leaders, offering a platform to share critical insights, explore collaborations and forge valuable connections.

11 Fintech Events to Attend in Hong Kong, Korea and Japan in 2024

International Financial Week 2025

January 13-17, 2025

Hong Kong

Taking place from January 13 to 17, 2025, the International Financial Week (IFW), coordinated by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will bring together a series of events addressing a variety of topical issues facing the global financial and business communities, spanning from sustainability investment, private equity, alternative assets to family office.

Asian Financial Forum 2025

January 13-14, 2025

Hong Kong

The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) is the region’s premier platform that brings together influential leaders from government, finance, and business communities globally for ground-breaking discussions and exchange of insights on the global economy from an Asian perspective. AFF 2024 brought together more than 140 elite speakers from around the world and attracted over 3,600 visitors from more than 50 countries and regions, including over 70 overseas and Mainland China delegations, participating for thought leadership and discussions while witnessing the latest fintech advancements, emerging business strategies, and expanding their professional networks.

Fintech News Network readers will enjoy a 30% discount with the code S-AM17-ML for a Standard Pass and F-AM17-ML for a full pass. Register Now

Japan Innovation Study Tour 2025

February 17-19, 2025

Osaka and Tokyo, Japan

The Japan Innovation Study Tour 2025, taking place from February 17 to 19, will offer an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the heart of technological and financial innovation in Japan. This tour will take the participants to Osaka and Tokyo, two cities renowned for their advancements in technology and finance.

In Osaka, attendees will visit leading innovation hubs and prominent banks to understand how they are driving technological advancements and transforming the financial landscape. Tokyo, the capital city, hosts some of the world’s most innovative companies in AI, fintech, and digital banking. There, the participants will witness firsthand how these organizations are shaping the future of technology and finance.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies, network with industry leaders, and explore collaborative opportunities. This tour is designed for C-level executives and decision-makers who are keen to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.

Digital Assets Week Hong Kong 2025

February 27, 2025

The GalaMuse, Hong Kong

Digital Assets Week Hong Kong 2025, taking place February 27, at The GalaMuse in Hong Kong, will focus on the intersection of digital securities, digital assets, and institutional crypto, bringing together traditional funding and listing players with emerging opportunities in digital exchanges and platforms. The event will explore both publicly listed securities and the private tokenization of securities while educating investors about the potential benefits of digital assets.

The sessions will delve into important topics such as tokenized money market funds and asset digitization. Notable sessions will include discussions on the benefits of asset digitization for the buy-side, the business case for asset managers digitizing assets, and the future of public and private markets, contrasting traditional finance exchanges with digital marketplaces. There will also be a keynote address and a series of project pitches through the Catalyst Programme, offering an opportunity for attendees to explore cutting-edge ideas.

Participants can also expect in-person networking with a highly curated, invite-only audience that includes financial institutions, institutional investors, brokers, private equity and venture capital firms, infrastructure providers, exchanges, and regulators.

GFTN Forum, Japan 2025

March 03-07, 2025

Tokyo, Japan

GFTN Forum, Japan 2025, taking place from March 03 to 07, will highlight  the dynamic international fintech ecosystem in Japan, embracing the bold theme of “Building Financial Corridors Worldwide”. The forum will provide participants with the opportunity to discover, learn, and exchange ideas with global experts and peers.

GFTN Forum, Japan 2025 will focus on:

• Building Financial Corridors: Connecting South and North Asia, ASEAN, and the rest of the world through innovative solutions and capital.
• Exploring the Impact of Technology: Investigating how AI, quantum technology, and digital assets transform economies, focusing on practical implementation.
• A Deep-Dive Inquiry: Examining the future of technology transformation in three key areas: asset management, digital assets, and future tech stack.
• Expanding the Founder’s Peak Program: We are enhancing the highly successful Founder’s Peak program with a new partner segment called “We The Women” (WTW), dedicated to celebrating women impact makers.
• Driving Actionable Results: Collaborating on reports and initiatives that engage the public and private sectors to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Insurance Analytics and AI Innovation Asia Pacific 2025

March 18-20, 2025

Hong Kong

The Insurance Analytics and AI Innovation Asia Pacific (IAAI Asia) 2025, taking place from March 18 to 20, promises a leading event for professionals in the insurance industry. The event is expected to gather over 1,000 participants from across the APAC region and beyond, including a remarkable 80% of attendees at the vice president level or higher.

IAAI Asia will feature 100+ inspirational speakers who will address the ongoing digital transformation in the insurance industry, exploring emerging trends including the proliferation of data and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies including machine learning (ML), blockchain, and the Internet-of-Things (IoT), as well as the pressing challenges of climate change, cyber risks, inflation, and economic uncertainties.

Attendees will gain transformative insights from industry pioneers, cutting-edge solutions, and opportunities to build meaningful professional connections. They will also gain actionable knowledge to accelerate their organizations’ digital transformation and stay ahead in a competitive market.

IAAI Asia will begin on March 18, 2025, with pre-conference workshops that address critical topics in the field. These sessions will explore strategies to unlock AI’s full potential in insurance innovation, examine the benefits and risks of generative AI, and discuss how to create human-centric digital health experiences.

Following the workshops, the main conference will open on March 19, focusing on the theme of insurance transformation. Morning sessions will address the realities of digitalization and the development of data-driven organizations, while afternoon sessions will highlight the importance of collaboration and explore the disruptive impact of digital technologies on the insurance sector.

Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025

April 06-09, 2025

5BCDE, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC), Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025, the third edition of one of Asia’s largest and most influential crypto events, will take place from April 06 to 09 at 5BCDE, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC). Co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and HashKey Group, and organized by W3ME, this premier gathering promises to once again bring together the world’s brightest minds in the Web3 and crypto space.

Following the record-breaking success of its previous editions in 2023 and 2024, which attracted over 250 exhibitors, 800 speakers, 80,000 visitors, and 300 side events, the Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025 is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees from around the globe.

More than just a conference, the event is set to unite industry leaders and innovators to explore the future of Web3, while showcasing the latest advancements and solutions in the space.

AI+ Power 2025

June 05-06, 2025

HKCEC, Hong Kong

AI+ Power 2025, an innovative expo and conference, will take place on June 5 and 6, 2025, at the HKCEC. Presented by BGOV as part of the renowned Business GoVirtual (BGOV) Expo and Conference series, this event is dedicated to showcasing the transformative impact of AI on business and everyday life. With over 6,000 attendees expected, 80 professional sessions, and more than 120 respected speakers, AI+ Power 2025 promises to be a cornerstone event for understanding and leveraging the power of AI.

The event will explore cutting-edge AI solutions across a wide array of industries, including finance, marketing, retail, healthcare, education, and entertainment. By uniting thought leaders, innovators, and professionals, it aims to delve into the latest technological advancements and applications of AI that are shaping the modern world.

This event will also provide a unique opportunity to engage with these trends, learn from top experts, and explore how AI is revolutionizing industries and unlocking new potentials.

Bitcoin Asia 2025

August 28-29, 2025

HKCEC, Hong Kong

Bitcoin Asia 2025 will take place on August 28 and 29, at the HKCEC. This premier gathering promises to bring together thousands of Bitcoin enthusiasts, industry leaders, innovators, and media representatives from around the globe to explore the latest trends and opportunities in the Bitcoin and blockchain ecosystem.

Following its successful debut in Hong Kong last year, Bitcoin Asia has become a leading platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in the cryptocurrency space. The 2024 edition attracted widespread participation and set the stage for high-level discussions on topics ranging from policy and technological advancements to market trends and investment strategies.

The 2025 conference is expected to surpass previous milestones, with over 5,000 attendees, 200 speakers, 500 companies represented, and more than 100 sponsors participating. It will also feature major media outlets and a curated art gallery showcasing groundbreaking ordinal art projects.

The main stage will host keynote speeches and panels from the biggest names in Bitcoin and blockchain, providing invaluable insights into the future of decentralized finance. The expo hall will serve as a hub for networking, allowing participants to engage with top companies, projects, and investors from across the industry. Attendees can also explore an exclusive Bitcoin Asia merchandise collection and enjoy immersive digital art installations in the Bitcoin Asia Art Gallery.

Korea Blockchain Week 2025

September 22-27, 2025

Seoul, South Korea

Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) 2025 will take place from September 22 to 27, in Seoul, South Korea. The event is expected to surpass previous milestones, following the success of last year’s highlights, which included over 61,700 attendees, 870 speakers, 300 sponsors, and 780 side events. The week-long program will provide exclusive opportunities for participants to exchange insights, explore groundbreaking projects, and forge meaningful connections within the global blockchain ecosystem.

Recognized as one of the most influential blockchain and Web3 events globally, KBW serves as a gateway to the vibrant and innovative Asian crypto market. This annual festival is a convergence of blockchain leaders, Web 3.0 pioneers, entrepreneurs, and a dynamic community of enthusiasts. It promises an unparalleled platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, solidifying Korea’s position as a global hub for blockchain advancement.

KBW’s flagship conference, IMPACT, is a focal point of the event, featuring keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions, interactive workshops, project showcases, and immersive experiences that blend technology, culture, art, and music. This holistic approach makes KBW a distinctive and enriching event that goes beyond traditional conferences.

Hong Kong Fintech Week 2025

November 3 -7, 2025

Hong Kong

Join the tenth annual Hong Kong FinTech Week (HKFTW), the city’s largest and most influential gathering of international leaders in finance and technology. In 2024, they welcomed over 37,000 attendees from 100+ economies to explore opportunities in Hong Kong, across Asia, and beyond.

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Bridging Global Markets with Blockchain Innovation

Crypto custody regulation in Hong Kong is witnessed in Project Ensemble, a collaboration between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the central banks of Brazil and Thailand. The project has been exploring how blockchain-based tokenization can facilitate seamless, efficient international payments.

It has enabled banks and companies to test real-world scenarios with tokenised deposits, assets and wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC). At Hong Kong Fintech Week 2024, the HKMA revealed new partnerships with Brazil’s and Thailand’s central banks to study international uses of digital tokens as part of Project Ensemble.

Stablecoins and Accelerating Business Efficiency

Similarly, stablecoins represent an exciting frontier. Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar, have the potential to revolutionise payments, lending, and financial transactions due to their reduced volatility compared to other cryptocurrencies.

Interestingly, Hong Kong’s recently released its gazettal of Stablecoins Bill, aiming to establish a regulatory framework for fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS) in Hong Kong and address potential financial stability risks.

Under this new regulatory regime, entities involved in issuing FRS or actively marketing them in Hong Kong will be required to obtain a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). This includes issuers of FRS pegged to both foreign and Hong Kong dollars.

The Bill also grants the HKMA the authority to oversee and enforce compliance, ensuring effective implementation of the regime.

A regulated framework is particularly vital given ongoing concerns about transparency in the stablecoin ecosystem. Many stablecoins provide disclosures and maintain reserves in segregated accounts, but only about half of major issuers disclose their custodians or undergo auditor attestation.

None report their counterparties, leaving gaps in transparency that raise questions about the safety and reliability of these assets. By addressing these issues, Hong Kong’s regulatory framework seeks to bolster user confidence in stablecoins.

This, in turn, promotes their wider adoption and unlocks their potential for global business efficiency and innovation.

e-HKD, Advancing Towards a Central Bank Digital Currency Future

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has kicked off Phase 2 of the e-HKD Pilot Programme. This expanded initiative, Project e-HKD+, brings together 11 groups of companies to test use cases for e-HKD and tokenized deposits. The tests focus on three main themes: offline payments, programmability, and tokenized assets.

The pilot aims to examine the practical implementation and commercial viability of new digital money forms. The HKMA aims to understand the challenges of designing and operating a digital money ecosystem for both public and private currencies.

To support this effort, the HKMA is establishing an e-HKD Industry Forum for collaborative discussions and working groups on specific topics. An e-HKD sandbox will be available to participants for accelerated development and testing. Key findings are expected to be shared by the end of 2025.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While blockchain promises increased transparency and security, concerns about data privacy and the potential for misuse in illicit activities remain.

Furthermore, as stablecoins and CBDCs gain traction, regulators must balance innovation with consumer protection. The Hong Kong government is working on legislation to address these concerns, ensuring that both digital currencies and traditional financial systems can coexist harmoniously.

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