Hashkey Group, a cryptocurrency investment firm, plans to raise capital at a valuation exceeding $1 billion, capitalizing on Hong Kong’s heightened interest in digital assets to attract potential investors. Hashkey, one of only two licensed digital coin exchanges in the city, is reportedly in the early stages of talks to raise between $100 and $200 million.
Evolving Crypto Climate in Hong Kong Attracts Investment
Hashkey’s investment endeavor comes at a time when the local environment is becoming increasingly conducive to cryptocurrency firms. The Hong Kong government is actively promoting the digital asset sector as part of a broader initiative to reinstate the city’s reputation as a forward-looking financial center. To stimulate the local economy and counteract the talent drain brought about by years of Covid-19 related restrictions, the city is set to permit retail trading of major cryptocurrencies on licensed exchanges, such as Hashkey.
Currently, only Hashkey and BC Technology Group Co.’s OSL bourse hold the necessary licenses for operation. Other major exchange platforms, including OKX and Bitget, have expressed their intention to apply for licenses under the new regulatory framework in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Spearheading the Crypto Evolution Amid Global Regulatory Challenges
Despite most forms of cryptocurrency-related activities being banned on the mainland, Chinese state-run banks have shown increasing interest in crypto enterprises this year. This suggests that Beijing supports Hong Kong’s vision, viewing the financial center as a potential policy testing ground for the long term.
Commencing June 1, Hong Kong initiates a fresh regulatory framework for providers of virtual-asset services, with intentions to authorize retail investors to transact prominent cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. This stands in contrast to the global regulatory struggles to manage the industry following last year’s market crash and the sensational bankruptcy of the FTX exchange.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s CEO, Eddie Yue, has stated that the city will uphold a stringent regulatory regime. Hashkey, established in 2018 as an early investor in Ethereumeum, has announced that its exchange is due to go live this quarter, with ZA Bank and Bank of Communications serving as settlement banks.
