Hong Kong is embracing digital assets with a large proportion of wealthy investors planning to invest in cryptocurrency within the next year. Standard Chartered Hong Kong will launch trading services for crypto ETFs this November, a move that reflects growing interest in digital assets among the city’s high-net-worth individuals. The bank surveyed nearly 500 respondents with significant liquid assets and found that over 80% plan to invest in digital assets in the next year, with more than 30% already holding some form of crypto exposure. This trend aligns with Hong Kong’s ongoing efforts to build a robust cryptocurrency ecosystem, including its approval of the first spot Solana ETF on Wednesday. However, the journey isn’t without challenges. The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) is reportedly taking a stricter approach towards firms seeking listings centered on crypto holdings, citing concerns about compliance and business viability. Meanwhile, South Korea plans to ban interest-bearing stablecoins in line with US regulations, aiming to prevent potential financial risks associated with these instruments. This follows similar moves from the US government and aligns with the GENIUS Act. In Japan, the Financial Services Agency is considering allowing banks and insurers to invest directly in cryptocurrencies for their own portfolios, a move that would mark a significant shift in regulation. The proposal aims to align digital assets with traditional financial instruments, while addressing concerns about consumer protection by restricting these activities to parent institutions.