The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's release of the 'Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Declaration 2.0' demonstrates its strategic vision of building a global leading digital asset center. The core is to construct a trustworthy, sustainable, and deeply integrated digital asset ecosystem with the real economy through the 'LEAP' framework (Legal and Regulatory Optimization, Tokenized Product Expansion, Application Scenario Advancement, Talent and Partnership Development).
I have the following observations:
1. It clearly uses the term 'digital assets' (instead of 'virtual assets') to align with international standards, emphasizing its innovative leadership in the digital age as an international financial center.
2. The goal is very clear: to balance innovation with risk management, attract high-quality global institutions, and enhance financial market efficiency through technologies such as tokenization to serve the real economy.
3. The division of responsibilities is clarified, with the Securities and Futures Commission leading the licensing of digital asset trading and custody services, and the Monetary Authority regulating banking-related activities to avoid functional overlap.
4. It showcases the government's friendliness and recognition of digital assets. The government will submit legislative proposals to include digital assets in private placement funds and family investment control tools eligible for profits tax exemption. Meanwhile, the Special Administrative Region Government will take the initiative to normalize the issuance of tokenized government bonds.
5. The government is genuinely reducing industry operating costs and striving to enhance market liquidity. It will clarify how the stamp duty exemption measures for the transfer of ETFs will also apply to tokenized ETFs, which will have a profound impact on the digital asset industry.
6. Substantial cash support will improve the market ecosystem. Cyberport will launch funding programs for blockchain and digital asset perspectives, which will not only attract more talent to the industry but also enhance the overall project pool in Hong Kong.
In summary, Hong Kong has a great opportunity to become a benchmark for compliant innovation in digital assets in Asia within 3-5 years, providing a 'Hong Kong solution' for the integration of global traditional finance and the digital economy.