- Nearly 80% of wealthy clients in Hong Kong plan to invest in digital assets within a year.
- Standard Chartered Hong Kong to launch regulated virtual asset ETF trading in November.
- Hong Kong pushes fintech growth through blockchain and AI to strengthen digital finance.
Standard Chartered Hong Kong plans to introduce virtual asset exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading services in November, aligning with the city’s digital finance development strategy. The initiative follows a rise in demand among high-net-worth clients seeking exposure to regulated digital investment products.
According to the bank’s Hong Kong High-end Customer Digital Asset Research 2025 report, nearly 80% of surveyed clients intend to invest in digital assets within the following year. The study, conducted under the Financial Administration Bureau’s Digital Hong Kong Dollar + project, gathered insights from over 500 clients with at least HK$1 million ($137,000) in liquid assets.
Survey Indicates Rising Confidence in Regulated Platforms
The findings show that 75% of respondents showed interest in digital assets, while about 30% already hold such investments. Participants said they usually start with small allocations and manage their portfolios across an average of 2.5 investment platforms. Price volatility, limited knowledge, and concerns about platform security remain key barriers to broader participation.
Mac Weilin, Head of Customer and Data at Standard Chartered Hong Kong Digital Bank, noted that more than 70% of respondents trust digital assets backed by local banks. He stated that the results underscore the increasing importance of secure, regulated environments for digital finance.
He Wenjun, Head of Wealth Planning at Standard Chartered Hong Kong, confirmed that the upcoming ETF service is designed to meet this demand. He stated that offering virtual asset ETFs would provide clients with a more diversified and regulated option for exposure to digital assets.
Hong Kong’s Fintech Integration Strategy Expands
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po emphasized at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in South Korea that the region remains focused on advancing fintech innovation. Chan noted that blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming financial services through enhanced efficiency and increased inclusion.
He cited the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Commercial Data Interchange platform, which enables small and medium-sized businesses to share verified data and has already supported over 60,000 loan applications totaling about HK$6.5 billion ($845 million).
During his visit, Chan met with South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister Gu Yoon-cheol to discuss cooperation in trade and financial technology. Following the meetings, he is scheduled to lead a government delegation to Beijing and Xiong’an New Area to explore further innovation opportunities.
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About the Author: Peter Mwangi
