The relationship between Hong Kong and crypto will likely only grow stronger over time, as it’s based on mutual respect as well as need, writes Lily King.

While the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is cracking down on the crypto industry, suing major players like Binance and Coinbase, the Hong Kong government has chosen a strikingly different approach.

Hong Kong continues to show unwavering support for the crypto industry. At the Caixin Summit this month, Financial Secretary Paul Chan stated that he believes the blockchain industry will continue to develop, and it still has the potential to be the foundation for an open, safe and low-cost financial system. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is also pulling out the stops, urging large banks like HSBC to provide financial services to crypto firms, to pave the way for the industry to become a larger part of the local economy.

With Hong Kong’s new crypto licensing regime also taking effect this month, it is likely that we will see an increasing number of digital asset enterprises setting up business in the city. The relationship between Hong Kong and the crypto industry will likely only grow stronger over time as is a symbiotic one, based not only on mutual respect but also need.

Why crypto needs Hong Kong

The urgency for the crypto industry to shift the narrative, to demonstrate its true value and prove its worthiness to governments, institutions and the public, has never been greater. It’s no longer enough to promise a revolutionary future. The industry must showcase tangible, real-world use cases that go beyond speculation and investment.

It needs to demonstrate that it can transform economies, improve financial inclusivity, and offer solutions to complex problems. And that is precisely where Hong Kong comes in.Play

Hong Kong, with its deep capital market, new forward-thinking regulatory framework and open-minded approach toward business, provides the crypto industry with an ideal stage to perform. It has the potential to be a haven where innovators can develop and implement real-world applications of blockchain technology, proving its worth not just in theory but in practice.

Why Hong Kong needs crypto

The relationship between Hong Kong and crypto is not a one-sided affair. Hong Kong also stands to benefit greatly.

The crypto industry might be dispensable for the United States, but it is a strategic necessity for Hong Kong.

As the global landscape of innovation shifts, the U.S. has found a new growth engine in artificial intelligence. It is investing heavily in AI and is home to many of the world’s leading AI companies.

Contrast this with Hong Kong, a city known for its role as a global financial center. Its economy is deeply intertwined with finance.

Blockchain technology holds the promise of redefining and rewiring the financial industry, offering a pathway toward increased efficiency, reduced costs and greater financial inclusion.

Amid the ongoing China-U.S. tensions, Hong Kong has taken a hit, and its traditional position as an international financial center is under threat. Embracing the crypto industry could well be the key to revitalizing Hong Kong’s economy and reaffirming its standing in the global financial ecosystem. It is a calculated risk, but one that could potentially pay huge dividends in the long run.

So far, we can see a clear vision from the Hong Kong government to build the territory into a leading hub for the development and use of blockchain technology and digital assets. We have already seen solid efforts being made in how Hong Kong is attracting capital, enterprises and talent in the crypto industry. Hong Kong is also encouraging the use of blockchain technology to improve the efficiency and transparency of financial services, as demonstrated in pilot projects like the tokenization of green bonds. Hong Kong is furthermore incentivizing research and development related to blockchain technology.

Hong Kong follows a “same risk same regulation” principle to the regulation of digital assets, it might look similar to the approach championed by Gary Gensler, the current SEC chairman, to classify most tokens as securities.

The real differences between Hong Kong and the United States lie in regulatory clarity, consistency and purpose. Many industry insiders were surprised by the SEC’s harsh actions against Coinbase, a publicly listed company that seemingly has made every effort to remain compliant. Furthermore, it appears that there is an intent to stifle the growth of the crypto industry in the U.S., if not outright ban the trading of most crypto assets.

In contrast, Hong Kong has designed a new licensing regime for virtual asset service providers with clear and consistent rules for market participants. Its regulations embody a constructive spirit that aims to find the right balance between encouraging innovation and protecting retail investors.

Hong Kong’s public-private synergy

In short, Hong Kong and the crypto industry need each other more than ever. Hong Kong offers the crypto industry a lifeline out of the U.S. and a chance to rebuild its reputation, while the crypto industry presents Hong Kong with the opportunity to reinvent itself and strengthen its position as the global hub for the future of finance.

The crypto industry is at a crossroads, facing a trust crisis that jeopardizes its very existence. However, we can anticipate the exciting synergy between Hong Kong’s established financial resources and blockchain technology’s disruptive potential. If nurtured properly, this synergy could lead to the development of groundbreaking use cases for blockchain technology in finance and accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain technology in Asia.