Bitcoin Asia emphasizes advancing financial and regulatory leadership in digital assets

On August 28, 2025, the second Asia Bitcoin Conference grandly opened in Hong Kong, attracting top figures from the global virtual currency sector. The event set a record with over 17,000 ticket registrations, nearly tripling last year’s attendance and highlighting the rapid growth of the Asian crypto community. Approximately 15,000 fans are expected to attend, making it the world’s second-largest bitcoin-themed event. The conference not only positions Hong Kong as a leading center for digital assets but also demonstrates its efforts to balance innovation and regulation through strict regulatory measures.

Star Guests and Political Sensitivity Draw Attention

One of the highlights of this conference was the appearance of Eric Trump, son of U.S. President Donald Trump, as a star keynote speaker. His presence drew significant attention but also sparked controversy due to political sensitivities. Leung Chi-hang, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and pro-Beijing Legislative Council member Ng Kit-chung withdrew from the event. According to reports, some officials advised against inviting Eric Trump to reduce political risk. Nevertheless, the conference still provided a platform for regulators, entrepreneurs, and crypto companies to discuss the relationship between innovation and regulation.

Promoting a Healthy Digital Asset Ecosystem

One of the conference themes focused on how digital asset pools are shifting from mere token holdings to a healthier financial ecosystem. Abel Seow, Head of Asia-Pacific and Managing Director at BitGo, pointed out that enterprises should not view asset pools as passive storage tools for crypto assets, but should leverage these resources to drive innovation and build sustainable markets. He emphasized that the next phase of development will revolve around attracting institutional investors and enhancing trust in cryptocurrencies.

Shen Jianjun, Fintech Policy Manager at the Hong Kong SFC, stated that Hong Kong is committed to being a pioneer in setting global rules for digital assets. By actively participating in multilateral and bilateral discussions, Hong Kong is striving to play an important role in global rule-making. Other speakers also agreed that regulation is at the core of crypto development. As the U.S. and Europe have established new regulatory benchmarks, Asia—especially Hong Kong—is seen as the next frontier for coordinating global crypto trading rules.

Hong Kong Stablecoin Regulations and Regulatory Upgrades

This conference coincided with the introduction of Hong Kong’s important new law, the Stablecoin Act. Effective May 21, 2025, the law requires operators of Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoins to obtain a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and imposes strict requirements on reserves, redemption rights, and risk management. This move aims to protect investors and enhance public trust in the financial system, but also brings higher compliance costs and restrictions on unlicensed issuance or marketing of stablecoins, dampening some corporate enthusiasm.

In addition, in February 2025, the Hong Kong SFC began studying rules for crypto derivatives and margin financing for professional investors. Currently, Hong Kong has issued nine digital asset trading licenses, with another eight applications under review. These measures reflect Hong Kong’s efforts to balance attracting international crypto investment with mitigating risks to the financial system.

Conclusion

The Asia Bitcoin 2025 Conference not only showcased Hong Kong’s ambition to be a global digital asset hub but also highlighted its cautious balance between regulation and innovation. Through a strict regulatory framework and active participation in global rule-making, Hong Kong is striving to become a leader in the digital asset sector. The successful hosting of the conference marks the vigorous development of the Asian crypto community and points the way for future financial ecosystem innovation.

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