Hong Kong Treasury Secretary Claims the State Fund May Invest in Crypto

As a researcher who has been closely monitoring the global crypto landscape for years, I find the recent developments in Hong Kong particularly intriguing. Having witnessed the initial skepticism and hostility towards cryptocurrencies transform into cautious acceptance in many regions, it’s refreshing to see a more open dialogue taking place in Hong Kong.

Johnny Ng, a representative in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, has proposed that the government’s Exchange Fund might consider investing in cryptocurrencies. Joseph Chan, acting as the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, did not explicitly endorse this idea but expressed an unexpected receptiveness towards it.

The council member centered his plan around the possibility of profits from cryptocurrency investments, while Chan conceded that Hong Kong might consider making small investments down the line.

A Possible Crypto Thaw in Hong Kong

As a researcher, I’ve been closely monitoring developments in Hong Kong, and here’s an update based on local media reports and a transcript of Ng’s proposal and response. In the past few months, there has been a significant surge in Hong Kong’s potential as a cryptocurrency hub. Notably, they have recently approved a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) this year, which underscores their growing interest in the crypto space.

As a researcher, I embarked on an exploration of the financial landscape in November, focusing particularly on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX). Notably, the HKEX unveiled a crypto index during this period. However, unlike the thriving Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States, the crypto ETFs launched by HKEX have yet to achieve significant success.

Council member Johnny Ng has consistently pushed for pro-cryptocurrency policies within Hong Kong. For instance, back in July, he proposed a Bitcoin Reserve for Hong Kong, echoing a similar idea Trump presented in the U.S. Now, his latest proposal emphasizes cryptocurrencies as attractive investment opportunities.

According to recent reports, financial companies worldwide have successively boosted their investments in digital assets, including bitcoin, often referred to as ‘digital gold.’ Remarkably, bitcoin prices have surged significantly this year, mirroring the trend. It seems that the evolution of global currencies is now leaning towards digitization.

After that, he inquired if the government intended to enhance regulations or establish a committee to examine the market prospects of cryptocurrency. Additionally, he suggested that it would be advantageous for them to consider incorporating digital assets and cryptocurrencies into their financial reserves.

Joseph Chan, serving as Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, issued an official statement. His viewpoints towards the crypto industry were harmonious, expressing that cryptocurrencies are opening doors for financial innovation… within our system. He also highlighted that these digital assets have been progressively integrated into global financial institutions.

Although crypto-assets are not the primary focus of our Exchange Fund, the fund managers we work with invest in a variety of assets and markets globally. It’s possible that investments in cryptocurrencies could occur during our investment activities at various times, but their overall significance is relatively small.” – Secretary Chan explained.

In contrast to some of the past negative attitudes towards cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong, this is quite an optimistic reaction. Chan merely touched upon concerns about crypto’s association with crime in passing, but he also acknowledged that it is gaining global recognition. This mirrors a decision made by China’s Supreme Court in November, which recognized legitimate uses of cryptocurrency.

Although China has been known for its ban on Bitcoin, there are hints suggesting a potential softening of this stance. During the BRICS Summit in October, Chinese representatives supported cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies as part of an international initiative to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

While these news items may not signify complete acceptance yet, there’s undeniably a trend leaning towards a promising future for cryptocurrency in this area.

Read More

2024-12-11 22:35