On September 15, Hong Kong legislator Johnny Ng responded to Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin's recent remarks about the future of Hong Kong as a "cryptocurrency-friendly" region. Ng extended a warm invitation to Buterin to visit Hong Kong and gain a better understanding of the local situation. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with relevant institutions and businesses to provide insights into the cryptocurrency landscape in Hong Kong.
Buterin had mentioned at the Web3 Transformation Summit in Singapore on September 14 that he had limited knowledge of Hong Kong's current situation and its intricate relationship with mainland China. He stressed that for any cryptocurrency project to choose Hong Kong as its base, it would need assurance that the region would maintain its crypto-friendliness in the face of unforeseen events, including regulatory and political changes.
In response, Ng acknowledged Hong Kong's current cryptocurrency-friendly environment but emphasized the need for stability in maintaining this status. He assured that Hong Kong's policies would not change abruptly and that all relevant strategies and regulations were established through extensive social consensus and formal procedures.
Ng also highlighted the rigorous process that any policy or legislation undergoes in Hong Kong. This includes government policy formulation, public consultations, and discussions in various legislative and parliamentary committees, ensuring thorough examination and input from stakeholders.
Hong Kong has retained its position as the most "crypto-ready" region for the second consecutive year, with a notable score of 8.36, surpassing the United States' score of 7.25. Recent developments, such as the approval of HashKey and OSL to offer retail crypto services in Hong Kong and OKX's progress toward obtaining a Hong Kong license, further exemplify the region's commitment to fostering a supportive cryptocurrency ecosystem.
