Last week, Hong Kong authorized digital asset trading for retail investors, a move that many perceived as an attempt to rebrand the city as a crypto hub. Some even believed that this decision indicated China, a country known for cracking down on cryptocurrencies, was now opening up to the world of Web3 and Bitcoin. However, according to Sean Lee, Co-Founder of Odsy Network and a senior advisor at the Crypto Council for Innovation, this may not be the case.
Despite being a special administrative region of China, Lee argued that the Chinese government has not yet warmed up to the idea of embracing cryptocurrencies. Referring to Beijing’s recent local government Web3 whitepaper, Lee also suggested that it doesn’t necessarily mean that China is becoming crypto-friendly.
Hong Kong was previously a significant crypto hub, hosting major digital asset exchanges such as Binance, Bitfinex, and FTX. However, this changed following China’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns and regulatory crackdowns, which deterred numerous crypto startups. Now, Hong Kong’s new set of strict rules requires crypto companies to comply and register with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
This development led some, including Huobi advisor and crypto mogul Justin Sun, to believe that China would be opening up to digital assets as well, given its control over Hong Kong. However, it is crucial to remember that China has some of the strictest crypto regulations globally – the Chinese government banned digital asset trading and mining back in 2021.
Lee pointed out that Hong Kong’s new policy could be a testing ground for China but clarified that it doesn’t mean the country is granting access to, or opening up to, cryptocurrencies. He added that this move benefits not only Hong Kong but the entire continent as it attracts crypto investments.
The ultimate goal, according to Lee, is not focused on retail investors but rather on involving institutions. If these large players develop products that can be sold to retail investors, the entire landscape of the digital asset market may shift. In the end, Hong Kong’s recent decision may be more of a signal for the city’s evolving stance on cryptocurrencies rather than a clear indication of China’s adoption of digital assets. But as Hong Kong steps into the spotlight, it will be interesting to see how this development impacts the global crypto scene.
Source: Decrypt
