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Hong Kong ranked world’s second-most crypto-friendly city

Hong Kong has secured its place as the world’s second-most crypto-friendly city, according to the Crypto Friendly Cities Index 2025 published by migration platform Multipolitan. Recognised as a growing hub for digital asset innovation, wealth, and talent, Hong Kong ranks just behind Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. In addition, Multipolitan’s Crypto Wealth Concentration Index 2025 ranks Hong Kong third globally for crypto wealth concentration, with the average crypto holder owning around US$97,500 in digital assets. The report acknowledged Hong Kong’s efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets. To date, the Securities and Futures Commission has licensed 10 crypto trading platforms, including Bullish, amid regulatory progress. Industry activity is also ramping up, with CoinDesk’s Consensus conference expanding and visits from key figures.

FS: Hong Kong a robust choice for family offices

In the face of international trade conflicts, Hong Kong stands out as a robust destination of choice for family offices looking to preserve and grow their wealth in a secure and predictable environment, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Apr 16 at Deutsche Bank Emerging Markets Family Office Forum in Hong Kong 2025. He highlighted that the "one country, two systems" principle provides the foundation for long-term prosperity and reinforces the international financial centre status of Hong Kong, while the city’s low-tax regime offers a highly enviable environment for wealth preservation and growth. He added that beyond institutional fundamentals, Hong Kong is a city of immense opportunities. Organised by Deutsche Bank, the Forum brought together family principals, next-generation leaders and senior decision-makers from across the globe.

LME approves first warehouse facilities in Hong Kong

The London Metal Exchange (LME), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, has approved the first four LME-licensed warehouses in Hong Kong. Welcoming the move, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the establishment of LME-approved warehouses in Hong Kong will provide convenient, cost-effective and safe delivery channels for metals trading in the region. He added that this will not only attract relevant enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong, turning the city into an operation centre for international commodity trading, storage and delivery, shipping and logistics, risk management, but also promote the development of related financial transactions such as futures, thereby injecting new impetus into consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.

Global Fast Track 2025 opens for applications

The eighth edition of the Global Fast Track (GFT) 2025 is now open for applications until Sep 21. This year, the programme will expand beyond fintech to include additional verticals, unleashing business opportunities for more technology companies in Hong Kong and worldwide. New focus areas include artificial intelligence, greentech, blockchain & digital assets, insurtech & healthtech, innovation & technology, and Mainland China track. The year-long hybrid programme provides participants with one-on-one meetings, live pitching opportunities, mentorship, and tailored business matching with corporate clients, investors and service providers. A separate competition track will select semi-finalists from each vertical to pitch in person during the Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 in Nov, with the grand finale taking place at the main conference. Organised by InvestHK, the GFT has supported over 1,000 fintech companies from more than 50 economies to date, helping them showcase cutting-edge innovations and expedite market entry into Hong Kong and beyond.

Forum on AI revolution to take place in Philadelphia

Get ready for a mind-blowing dive into the world of artificial intelligence and how it's reshaping business and global trade! Join us on May 16 in Philadelphia for “AI Revolution Unveiled: Transforming Business and Global Trade”, where you’ll explore the latest in AI innovation, discover how AI is driving global trade, and connect with industry experts and forward-thinking professionals. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply curious about the future, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve. Organised by the National US Hong Kong Business Association, this event features a business forum and a welcome dinner. Register here.

Want to experience the most authentic Hong Kong festivals? This May and June, a series of traditional and intangible cultural heritage celebrations await you! These include Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Apr 27 - May 6), Po Lin Monastery’s Buddha Bathing Ceremony (Apr 29 - May 5); Tam Kung Festival @ Eastern District 2025 (Apr 29 - May 7), Kwai Tsing Bamboo Theatre Culture Festival 2025 – Tin Hau Celebration (Apr 28 - May 2), and 2025 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (Jun 7-8). Immerse yourself in the festive vibes, connect with family and friends, and embrace the charm of Hong Kong culture. Save these dates and join us!

Hong Kong sees sharp export growth in March

Hong Kong’s total value of exports and imports of goods in March both recorded year-on-year increases, at 18.5% and 16.6% respectively. Exports to the Mainland grew strongly, while those to other major Asian economies showed mixed performance. Exports to the United States increased visibly, and those to the European Union registered a marginal increase. For the first quarter of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 10.9% over the same period in 2024 while the value of imports of goods increased by 9.8%. Looking ahead, global trade tensions have escalated abruptly, posing challenges to Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance. Nevertheless, the steady growth in the Mainland economy, together with Hong Kong’s proactive efforts in enhancing economic and trade ties with different markets, should help buttress trade performance. 

Goods mail services to US halted

Hongkong Post has suspended the postal service for items containing goods to the US, in response to US Government’s announcement of eliminating the duty-free de minimis treatment for postal items dispatched from Hong Kong to the US and increase the tariffs for postal items containing goods to the US starting from May 2. Other postal items containing documents only without goods will not be affected. 

For the first time since 2017, six Hong Kong universities have ranked among the top 50 in Asia in the 2025 Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings, reflecting Hong Kong’s continued excellence in teaching, research, and international outlook. The University of Hong Kong remains strong in 6th place, while the Chinese University of Hong Kong has moved up to 9th. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology holds steady at 12th, and City University of Hong Kong is ranked 16th. Hong Kong Polytechnic University has risen to 18th, and Hong Kong Baptist University has climbed to 50th. Learn more about studying opportunities in Hong Kong here.

Hong Kong opens to world travellers

Speaking at the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit (Apr 5), Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong is open, welcoming and endlessly amazing to tourists from around the world. He added that Hong Kong’s unique status as the city where East meets West, its seamless transport links to Mainland China and overseas, as well as the abundant opportunities brought by the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will lead the city to become one of the world’s greatest centres for tourism. Being held in Hong Kong for the first time, the Summit gathered local and international guests from around the world and provides a platform to foster deeper collaboration in tourism and

international exchanges, facilitate experience sharing, and create new horizons and development opportunities for Hong Kong’s tourism sector.

Hong Kong: A centre for international cultural exchange

The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 has successfully concluded in Hong Kong (Apr 22-23), attracting global cultural ministers and senior officials to exchange views and share their experience on policies and measures to promote arts and cultural development. Speaking at a gala of the event (Apr 22), Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been actively fostering the city’s development into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange with the clear national support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. He stressed that with its unique advantage of blending Chinese and Western cultures and its extensive international connections, Hong Kong will become a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

US port fee measures condemned

The HKSAR Government expressed (Apr 18) its strong opposition to and grave dissatisfaction towards US authorities' imposition of port fees on vessels owned, operated, or built by Chinese companies, and other associated measures. In a statement, the Government outlined that under the unique institutional strengths of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong – as a globally renowned international maritime centre – has long provided an open, level-playing, efficient, and well-regulated business environment for shipping enterprises around the world to operate in. It stressed that Hong Kong will continue to uphold the spirit of openness and co-operation, work with global maritime partners to safeguard free trade principles and promote the healthy development of the international shipping industry.

The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the HKSAR. It provides the guarantees to maintain our existing way of life, including socio-economic development, the rights and duties of Hong Kong people, the rule of law and other areas. The Basic Law was put into effect on July 1, 1997.

Q: Can Hong Kong set its own taxes and tariffs?

A: Yes, Article 108 states the HKSAR shall practise an independent taxation system. It shall, taking the low tax policy previously pursued in the city as reference, enact laws on its own concerning types of taxes, tax rates, tax reductions, allowances and exemptions, and other matters of taxation.