Hong Kong’s tech news, quarterly
December 2023 | November 2023 | October 2023
The Hong Kong quarterly technology snapshot here briefly covers items including, for example: cross-border QR code-driven payments between Hong Kong and Thailand, alongside feasibility talks with India’s Reserve Bank; newly-launched availability of 3 Hong Kong cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded funds to Swiss investors; and more.
Other editions: Asia’s tech news, daily (via LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter/X); and Indo-Pacific technology newsletters, weekly.
Also available:
Critical technologies news across Q4 2023
Coinbase Institutional: 2024 Crypto Market Outlook
December 2023
MERICS: Fragmenting Cyberspace – The future of the internet in China
- Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands backs TON blockchain ecosystem, adding to Telegram’s endorsement of TON as the messaging platform’s blockchain-of-choice >>>
Gaming and metaverse-focused venture capital firm Animoca Brands has made an investment in the TON ecosystem and become the largest validator on the TON blockchain.
TON received the endorsement of Telegram as its blockchain of choice for Web3-related developments in September, giving potential TON-based projects a prospective target audience of the messaging app’s 800 million users.
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank of Thailand launched the FPS x PromptPay Link for cross-border QR-based payments between the two >>>
Through this linkage, travelers from Thailand and Hong Kong will be able to make retail payments by using their mobile payment applications to scan the Hong Kong FPS QR code and Thai PromptPay QR Code displayed by merchants respectively. Users will benefit from an additional efficient payment means, while merchants will be able to receive their funds immediately. This payment connectivity will provide travellers with greater convenience, hence supporting tourism and economic activities of Hong Kong and Thailand.
“Asia’s first exchange traded fund investing solely in Saudi Arabia’s equities market has listed on the Hong Kong exchange attracting $1BN in initial investment, marking one of the territory’s largest ever debuts.”
PwC: Navigating the Global Crypto Landscape – 2024 Outlook
November 2023
KPMG: Venture Pulse Q3 2023 Report – Asia findings
- Hong Kong: Police failed in bid to force YouTube to remove documentary about pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai, owner of Apple Daily, a Google transparency report shows
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority ‘Digital Hong Kong Dollar’ pilot program with HSBC, Hang Seng Bank and Visa completes testing of tokenized deposits using digital currency
- Hong Kong: Zodia Custody expands HK operations following receipt of trust license from Monetary Authority, with custodial services for cryptocurrencies and digital assets
- Hong Kong regulator grants Switzerland’s UBS bank approval to offer HK clients 3 cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, Samsung Bitcoin Futures Active, CSOP Bitcoin Futures and CSOP Ether Futures ETFs
“Swiss bank UBS’ wealthy clients can now take exposure to three crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through the lender’s Hong Kong platform, according to a Bloomberg report citing a person familiar with the matter.”
“The three crypto ETFs – Samsung Bitcoin Futures Active, CSOP Bitcoin Futures and CSOP Ether Futures ETFs – are all authorized by Hong Kong’s securities regulator, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Together, the three products boast assets worth around $72 million.”
“Significantly, the news comes a day after HSBC, one of the world’s largest banks, said it plans to start a digital assets custody service for institutional clients.”
- Hong Kong: WOW Summit 2024 has been set for March 26-27, looking at all things Web3 and associated
- Hong Kong: Sleek raised $5M seed funding with blockchain-based social network, and features including physical Sleek Card using NFC for networking
- Animoca Brands, Amazon Web Services and Polygon Labs unveil MoonRealm Express Accelerator, aiming to boost development of Web3 products and solutions via Animoca Brands Mocaverse
- UAE gaming startup, Farcana, backed by Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands with games offering tournaments backed by permanent Bitcoin prize pools
Recorded Future: North Korea’s Targeting of Cryptocurrency
October 2023
McKinsey: The economic potential of artificial intelligence
- Hong Kong: CMCC Global crypto-focused VC raised $100M for equity investments in early-stage blockchain startups across Asia, with particular focus on HK firms
- HK Science & Tech Park inks MOU with China’s J2 Semiconductor, aiming for R&D hub for 3rd-gen semiconductors and silicon carbide 8-inch advanced wafer production
- Hong Kong: Anboto Labs raised $3M, launching non-custodial trade platform following beta phase which hit a transaction volume of $4BN across 20 exchanges and blockchain networks
Lithium mining in Tibet: Impact on Tibet and Tibetans
Tech news, Daily: Asia & Indo-Pacific
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