Hong Kong Fintech 2030 Vision Positions Tokenization as Growth Driver
Hong Kong authorities have unveiled an ambitious five-year plan that positions the city as a leading digital asset hub. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced Fintech 2030 on November 3, 2025, at Hong Kong FinTech Week, outlining a comprehensive strategy to transform the region’s financial infrastructure through tokenization and global connectivity.
HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue announced that the plan seeks to strengthen the jurisdiction’s financial innovation and competitiveness through four key pillars, collectively known as DART: Data, Artificial Intelligence, Resilience, and Tokenization. The strategy encompasses more than 40 initiatives designed to modernize Hong Kong’s financial sector and compete with major international markets.
Hong Kong Fintech 2030 Tokenization Strategy Takes Center Stage
Tokenization forms the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s Fintech 2030 vision. The HKMA plans to actively accelerate the conversion of real-world assets and financial instruments into digital tokens, creating a vibrant ecosystem for digital finance. The authority aims to regularize tokenized government bond issuance and explore tokenizing Exchange Fund papers.
Settlements will be conducted directly on blockchain networks using new forms of digital money, such as the e-HKD, tokenized deposits, and regulated stablecoins. This approach integrates Hong Kong’s long-planned central bank digital currency into the broader tokenization framework. The HKMA will soon launch Project Ensemble, a pilot program testing real-value transactions with tokenized money.
The tokenization initiative extends beyond government securities. The HKMA plans to collaborate with industry stakeholders and other central banks to incubate innovative use cases. The central bank is in discussions with counterparts in Brazil and Thailand to deploy blockchain and tokenization for cross-border trade finance, potentially reducing transaction costs and accelerating settlement times.
Crypto Exchanges Gain Access to Global Order Books Under Fintech 2030
Parallel to the HKMA’s announcement, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission introduced measures to enhance market liquidity. The SFC announced it will permit licensed cryptocurrency trading platforms to connect with global order books, marking a significant liberalization of the city’s digital asset regulations.
SFC-licensed virtual asset trading platform operators can combine their order flows with affiliated overseas platforms through shared order books. This represents the first implementation step under Pillar A of the SFC’s ASPIRe roadmap. The change breaks from the current closed-loop model that restricted platforms to Hong Kong-based orders.
Hong Kong investors are expected to benefit from enhanced market liquidity and more competitive pricing through seamless cross-platform order matching. The SFC outlined plans to allow licensed brokers to route client orders to regulated overseas liquidity pools within the same corporate group.
Building Financial Infrastructure Through Data and AI Integration
Beyond tokenization, Hong Kong’s Fintech 2030 strategy addresses critical infrastructure components. The Data pillar focuses on building next-generation payment infrastructure to facilitate secure information sharing and efficient cross-border payments. This foundation supports the seamless integration of tokenized assets into existing financial systems.
The AI component, dubbed the “AI² Strategy,” promotes responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across Hong Kong’s financial sector. The HKMA plans to build shared, finance-specific AI infrastructure and collaborate with banks to develop industry-standard models. This integration aims to improve banking responsiveness, accessibility, and customer customization.
The Resilience pillar tackles cybersecurity and technological reliability. The HKMA promised to launch a fintech-specific cybersecurity certification framework and real-time threat detection systems to counter upcoming risks to the blockchain, such as the widely-feared quantum technology.
Hong Kong Positions Itself Against Global Competitors
Hong Kong hosts over 1,200 fintech firms, a 10% increase from last year, with the sector’s revenue projected to exceed $600 billion by 2032. The Fintech 2030 vision aims to maintain this growth trajectory while competing against established hubs like Singapore and emerging markets.
The strategy reflects Hong Kong’s determination to establish itself as Asia’s premier digital asset hub. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po emphasized the balance between innovation and protection. The region’s regulatory framework seeks to attract global platforms while upholding high standards for investor protection and market integrity.
Combining tokenization infrastructure, global liquidity access, and advanced technological frameworks positions Hong Kong to capture a significant market share. Licensed platforms can now offer enhanced services while operating under comprehensive regulatory oversight.
Conclusion
Hong Kong’s Fintech 2030 strategy marks a decisive shift toward digital asset integration and global connectivity. The comprehensive approach combining tokenization, AI adoption, and enhanced market access creates a foundation for sustained growth. As Project Ensemble launches and exchanges start using shared order books, Hong Kong positions itself as a competitive force in digital finance.
