Quick Breakdown
- Standard Chartered Hong Kong to roll out digital asset ETF trading in November.
- Hong Kong approves Asia’s first Solana spot ETF by ChinaAMC.
- Rising demand among wealthy clients signals growing confidence in crypto exposure.
Standard Chartered steps into digital asset trading
Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong arm is set to introduce a digital asset ETF trading service on its platform this November, signaling a major milestone in the bank’s digital finance expansion.
Ho Man-chun, Head of Wealth Solutions at Standard Chartered Hong Kong, said the service was developed in response to the rising demand among clients seeking exposure to digital assets. The initiative aligns with findings from the “Hong Kong High-End Customer Digital Assets Study 2025,” part of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Digital Hong Kong Dollar+ project.
Wealthy clients show strong appetite for crypto exposure
The study revealed a clear shift in investment behavior among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Around 75% of affluent clients expressed interest in digital assets, while nearly 80% plan to invest within the next 12 months.
Willina Mak, Head of Digital Banking, Customer and Data at the bank, noted that over 70% of respondents showed optimism toward digital assets issued by local banks. The survey, which included over 500 participants with at least HK$1 million in liquid assets, highlighted that 30% already hold crypto, often limiting allocations to 20% or less of their total portfolios.
Despite this growing enthusiasm, the report identified volatility, platform security, and limited education as ongoing challenges for potential investors.
Hong Kong approves first Solana spot ETF
Adding to the region’s digital finance momentum, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has approved the first Solana spot ETF in Asia, developed by China Asset Management Company (ChinaAMC).
The Hua Xia Solana ETF, set to list on October 27, requires a minimum investment of around US$100, with each trading unit comprising 100 shares. This marks the third crypto ETF launched in Hong Kong following the debut of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in April 2024 — further positioning the city as a growing digital asset hub for institutional investors.
However, Hong Kong’s ETF market still lags behind other Asia-Pacific counterparts. While the region’s overall ETF market has seen a 10-year CAGR of 22%, Hong Kong’s growth sits at just 5%.
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