Hong Kong Set to Host This Year’s Bitcoin Conference, Lawmaker Says

Hong Kong will host The Bitcoin Conference this year, local lawmaker Johnny Ng said in a recent post on X.

“The Bitcoin conference, the world’s largest fintech conference, is coming to Hong Kong. Let’s paint the city orange!” he wrote.

In a separate post, the official X account of The Bitcoin (BTC) Conference also confirmed that this year’s event will be held in Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a premiere cruise ship terminal on the former Kai Tak Airport runway in the city.

The conference will be held between May 9 to 10.

ANNOUNCEMENT: #Bitcoin Asia dates have been confirmed for May 9-10, 2024 💥 pic.twitter.com/n5Kk67KZ4X

— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) January 22, 2024

By hosting this event, Hong Kong is signaling its commitment to embracing the digital currency revolution, a stance that aligns with its longstanding reputation as a financial and technological hub.

What is The Bitcoin Conference?

The Bitcoin Conference, known as the world’s largest Bitcoin conference, aims to bring together leading experts, innovators, and policymakers from around the world.

Its objective is to foster dialogue, exchange ideas, and explore the potential of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the evolving digital economy.

One of the key themes of the conference will be regulatory frameworks.

Discussions will likely revolve around how regulation can evolve to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of digital currencies.

In addition to regulatory discussions, the conference will showcase the latest advancements in blockchain technology.

Blockchain, the underlying technology of Bitcoin, has applications that extend far beyond cryptocurrencies.

Ng Urges Hong Kong to Follow US in Approving Spot ETFs

In the wake of the United States’ approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, Ng, a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, called on the local government to swiftly follow suit and position the city as a leader in the cryptocurrency space.

He emphasized the importance of fostering innovation and taking proactive steps to solidify Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for virtual assets.

Highlighting the readiness expressed by the Securities and Futures Commission to accept applications for spot Bitcoin ETFs, Ng stressed the need for Hong Kong to capitalize on the rapid development and intense competition in the virtual asset sector.

“I hope that Hong Kong… can swiftly secure a position globally, particularly by taking the lead in implementing relevant policies and products in Asia,” he said in a post on X.

In December last year, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the de facto central bank, announced that they had reviewed their existing policies regarding spot crypto ETFs.

The regulators published two circulars outlining the requirements for such ETFs, which indicates the regulatory bodies’ commitment to fostering a conducive environment for the development of crypto investment products.

Livio Weng, the Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong-based crypto exchange HashKey, revealed that 10 fund managers, some backed by Chinese capital, are currently exploring the launch of spot crypto ETFs in the city.