Did you know Hong Kong is becoming a big deal in the crypto world? I just read something about it.

Absolutely! Hong Kong is positioning itself as a global crypto hub. They’ve already licensed seven virtual asset trading platforms, which gives investors more confidence.

Why does licensing matter so much? Isn’t crypto supposed to be decentralized and free from all that?

Good point, but licensing provides regulatory clarity. It’s like having clear rules for the road—it helps investors feel safer and attracts serious players. But Edith Yeung, a well-known investor, says liquidity is just as important. Without active trading, even the best platforms won’t succeed.

Makes sense. So, is Hong Kong competing with places like the US and Europe?

Kind of. Hong Kong is like the New York of Asia—a financial powerhouse. It has a rich history in finance, dating back over 150 years, and offers unique access to talent in both traditional finance and crypto. Plus, Asia as a whole has the highest growth potential for crypto adoption.

Wow, Asia is leading in adoption? That’s impressive.

It is! Half of the top 10 countries in crypto adoption in 2024 were in Asia. Hong Kong is tapping into that growth while also competing with regions like the US, where institutional adoption is big, especially with players like BlackRock pushing Bitcoin ETFs.

But isn’t China against crypto? How does that work if Hong Kong is part of China?

Great question. Hong Kong operates under a 'one country, two systems' framework, which gives it more freedom to set its own rules. So while China is strict about crypto, Hong Kong is more open. Yeung says this could be a positive sign for China in the future, but it’s hard to say if they’ll follow suit anytime soon.

That’s interesting. What about Solana? I heard Edith Yeung invested in it early. Does she still think it’s a good bet?

She’s a big supporter of Solana and still holds her initial investment. Solana is attracting attention not just for memecoins but also from traditional finance giants like Fidelity, Citi, and PayPal. Edith thinks this shows that blockchain is ready for mainstream adoption.

What’s her next big prediction? Did she mention anything about 2025?

Yes, and it’s huge! She predicts the U.S. will establish a Bitcoin Reserve by the end of 2025. The U.S. already holds over 207,000 bitcoins, and if they move forward with this, it could drive up Bitcoin prices and inspire other governments to follow.

Wow, that would be massive. So, Hong Kong and the U.S. are both shaking things up in crypto?

Exactly. Hong Kong is focusing on building its role as a crypto hub in Asia, while the U.S. is taking steps that could redefine Bitcoin’s global position. It’s an exciting time for crypto!