HongKong

Hong Kong police have broken up a money‑laundering ring that moved 15 million through more than 550 accounts and crypto trades. Twelve suspects, aged 20 to 40, were arrested in operations across mainland China and Hong Kong. They now face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, Hong Kong Commercial Daily reported on May 17.
Recruitment Of Shell Account Holders
According to investigators, the group hired people from the mainland to open shell bank accounts. Those recruits received funds from various fraud schemes.
They withdrew cash with different ATM cards, then sent the money to virtual‑asset exchanges. From there, it was converted into digital tokens and mixed into other transactions.

Flat In Mong Kok Used As Base
Based on reports from Chief Inspector Lo Yuen‑shan, the syndicate ran its operations out of a flat in Mong Kok since mid‑2024. Mainland recruits were housed there.
They processed illicit funds through those shell accounts every day. In one raid on that flat, officers found 600,000 HKD in cash and dozens of bank documents.

Tailing Leads To Big Seizure
Superintendent Shirley Kwok Ching‑yee said police tailed two key figures from the flat. One went into a bank, and the other used an ATM. Both then headed to a crypto exchange shop in Tsim Sha Tsui. Officers moved in and seized about 770,000 HKD in cash.
Across all raids, they recovered roughly 1.05 million HKD, around 134,000 in other currencies, plus over 560 ATM cards and several phones.
Scope Of The Fraud Cases
Lo added that more than 10 million HKD of the laundered money tied back to 58 separate fraud cases. Fraud‑related crimes in Hong Kong rose by over 12% in 2024, with more than 10,000 people arrested.
Shell account holders made up over 70% of those arrests. Fraud now accounts for nearly half of the city’s 95,000 criminal cases last year.
Calls For Tougher Penalties
Senior Inspector Tse Ka‑lun of the Commercial Crime Bureau said friends and family often lend their bank accounts to criminals. He’s urging judges to hand down stiffer sentences.
Current law allows up to 14 years in jail and a fine of up to 5 million HKD. But in the past two years, more than 100 convicted launderers got extra time—between three and 18 months added.#HongKong #china $BTC

Avenir significantly increases investment in Bitcoin ETFs, with a portfolio of nearly 700 million USD solely in IBIT

The investment group #Avenir based in Hong Kong has recently attracted the attention of the financial community by significantly increasing the number of shares of BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). Specifically, in the first quarter of 2025, Avenir purchased an additional 3.4 million shares of IBIT, raising the total holdings to 14.7 million shares – worth approximately 688 million USD as of March 31.

The #hongkong administration recently introduced a regulation to restrict investors from buying stablecoins. The Finance and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and Monetary Authority (HKMA) require a HKMA license.
To obtain a license, companies must fully support all #stablecoin s in circulation. Companies will also have to disclose information and report regularly. They will also need to open an office in Hong Kong and have a staff.

A groundbreaking proposal from Hong Kong legislator Wu Jiezhuang has sparked conversations about the role of Bitcoin in the city's financial future. Wu’s suggestion to integrate Bitcoin into Hong Kong’s national reserves is a bold move that could reshape traditional asset strategies and position the city as a leader in digital finance. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique "one country, two systems" framework, Wu envisions a financial landscape where Bitcoin isn’t just an investment but a cornerstone of fiscal security.
Drawing Inspiration from Global Examples
Wu’s proposal is rooted in real-world precedents. Countries like El Salvador and Bhutan have already embraced Bitcoin in their economic systems, albeit in distinct ways. El Salvador, a trailblazer in Bitcoin adoption, made headlines by recognizing the cryptocurrency as legal tender. Meanwhile, Bhutan has been quietly building reserves through mining operations, showcasing another method of integrating Bitcoin into national strategies.

These examples underline Bitcoin’s potential to serve as more than a volatile investment asset. Instead, Wu suggests, it can act as a strategic tool for countries looking to diversify their holdings and enhance financial resilience. As governments adopt Bitcoin, he argues, its value could stabilize, making it a more reliable reserve asset in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
A Phased Approach to Adoption
Recognizing the challenges of incorporating Bitcoin into national reserves, Wu advocates for a phased approach. The first step, he proposes, is the introduction of Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in Hong Kong. These ETFs would provide a regulated entry point for investors, bridging the gap between traditional financial systems and the emerging digital asset ecosystem.

Wu emphasizes the importance of learning from the United States, where Bitcoin ETFs have made the asset more accessible to institutional investors. By tailoring this model to Hong Kong’s unique regulatory and economic environment, the city could attract global talent and investment, setting the stage for broader adoption of Bitcoin.
Challenges and Opportunities
Wu’s vision isn’t without its critics. Bitcoin’s price volatility remains a significant concern, as does the complexity of integrating such an asset into fiscal reserves. Opponents argue that relying on Bitcoin exposes governments to risks not present with traditional assets like gold or foreign currencies. However, Wu counters that as more countries adopt Bitcoin, the asset’s value will stabilize, mitigating these risks over time.
He also highlights the potential long-term benefits of diversifying reserves. Traditional holdings often depend on assets susceptible to geopolitical and economic uncertainties. By incorporating Bitcoin, Hong Kong could reduce its reliance on these traditional systems, paving the way for greater financial resilience in an unpredictable global landscape.
Positioning Hong Kong as a Digital Finance Hub
This proposal comes at a pivotal moment for Hong Kong, as the city navigates its identity amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics. Long recognized as a global financial hub, Hong Kong’s ability to adapt to new technologies like blockchain and digital currencies will play a crucial role in maintaining its competitive edge.
Wu’s call to action is clear: Hong Kong must embrace innovation to stay ahead. By positioning itself as a leader in digital asset adoption, the city can attract top-tier talent and investors, fostering an environment where financial security and technological advancement go hand in hand.
Rethinking the Fundamentals of Financial Security
What makes Wu’s proposal particularly compelling is its focus on long-term strategy. Rather than viewing Bitcoin as a passing trend, he presents it as a cornerstone of future fiscal security. This perspective challenges conventional thinking about national reserves and opens the door for other jurisdictions to consider similar approaches.
By diversifying its reserves with Bitcoin, Hong Kong could reduce dependence on traditional systems that may struggle to withstand the complexities of an interconnected global economy. While the proposal’s implementation remains uncertain, Wu’s vision has undoubtedly initiated a critical conversation about the future of financial strategy in a digital-first world.
Conclusion
As Bitcoin continues its evolution from a niche digital currency to a potential pillar of national economic strategy, proposals like Wu’s force policymakers to rethink the fundamentals of financial security. For Hong Kong, this is more than an opportunity to adopt a new asset class; it’s a chance to define the future of fiscal reserves and digital finance on the global stage.
Wu Jiezhuang’s bold vision underscores the urgency of embracing innovation in an era of rapid technological change. By leading the charge in integrating Bitcoin into national reserves, Hong Kong could set a powerful example for other nations while securing its place as a pioneer in the digital economy.
#HongKong #Bitcoin $BTC $ETH

Ethiopia has entered into a significant partnership with a Hong Kong-based data center operator, paving the way for new opportunities in data mining and artificial intelligence (AI) development. Here are the key points of this strategic alliance.

Memorandum of Understanding: $250 Million Investment
Ethiopian Investment Holdings, a state-owned company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Data Center Service, a subsidiary of the renowned Hong Kong-based West Data Group. This agreement, valued at $250 million, aims to establish modern infrastructure for data mining and AI training in Ethiopia.
Cryptocurrency Mining: A Controversial Issue
While the announcement does not directly mention cryptocurrency mining, reports suggest that this activity could be part of the joint effort. Bitcoin mining is a contentious topic in Ethiopia, especially given the recent launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has altered electricity prices in the country.

Growing Interest in Cryptocurrencies in Ethiopia
Despite controversies, interest in cryptocurrencies is growing in Ethiopia. Reports indicate that several mining companies, mostly from China, are already operating there. Additionally, Ethiopia is striving to develop its cryptocurrency infrastructure and is collaborating with international partners, such as Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK), on blockchain technology innovations.
West Data Group: Innovative Fintech
West Data Group, powered by blockchain technology, is a key player in this partnership. With centers worldwide and a new focus on bitcoin and digital currency mining, it provides Ethiopia with new opportunities for technological development and economic diversification.
Conclusion
The partnership between Ethiopia and Hong Kong represents a significant step towards modernizing infrastructure and advancing technologies in Ethiopia. While questions regarding cryptocurrency mining remain open, it is clear that both parties are interested in joint development in the fields of data services and artificial intelligence.
#mining #crypto #hongkong

Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“