Standard Chartered Hong Kong announced plans to launch ETF trading services in November. The bank’s upcoming virtual asset ETF offering is part of Hong Kong’s continued efforts to combine traditional finance with digital innovation.
Standard Chartered Hong Kong is preparing to launch a virtual asset exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading service next month as demand for digital asset investments grows rapidly.
The bank interviewed more than 500 high-end customers with liquid assets of at least HK$1 million (approximately $137,000) as part of the 2025 Hong Kong High-End Customer Digital Asset Survey conducted under the Monetary Authority of Japan’s Digital Hong Kong Dollar+ project.
Standard Chartered meets the demand for digital assets
Research reported by local media It was revealed that three-quarters of respondents are interested in digital assets, and nearly 80% plan to invest in this area in the next 12 months. Around 30% already own digital assets, and the survey’s wealthy participants expressed confidence in leveraging digital assets to diversify their portfolios.
Respondents said they typically start with small investments and devote only a small portion of their overall portfolio to cryptocurrencies or related products. Investors already working in digital assets use on average around 2.5 different investment platforms.
However, the study also revealed that price volatility, platform security and limited knowledge prevent more investors from participating.
Mack Weilin, head of customer and data at Standard Chartered Hong Kong Digital Bank, said more than 70% of respondents trusted digital assets backed by local banks, indicating growing trust in regulated platforms.
“Data shows strong appetite for new digital investment opportunities, especially when delivered within a secure and regulated environment,” Mack said.
He Wenjun, head of wealth planning at Standard Chartered Hong Kong, confirmed that the bank will launch in November to meet demand for institutional trading.
“Customers are becoming increasingly eager to participate in digital finance,” he said. Wenjun further said that integrating virtual asset ETFs into banking platforms can provide more diverse asset and financial management options. ETFs are considered a safer and more regulated method of trading digital assets than direct trading of cryptocurrencies.
Hong Kong’s digital finance strategy evolves
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference (APEC) Finance Ministers Meeting in Incheon, South Korea, Hong Kong Finance Minister Paul Chan Mopo said The country is committed to supporting innovation in financial technology.
Mr. Chan highlighted how blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming financial services by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting inclusive finance. He said that for sustainable fintech growth, financial innovation must serve the real economy, and innovation should be supported through regulatory flexibility to promote responsible and sustainable development in digital finance.
Mr. Chan cited the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (Hong Kong Monetary Authority) as an example to support his claim.H.K.M.A.) “Commercial Data Exchange” Platform. The system allows SMEs to share verified business data to improve access to financing, and has facilitated more than 60,000 loan applications and more than HK$6.5 billion (approximately $845 million) in loans to date.
During his visit, Prime Minister Chan met with South Korean Vice Prime Minister of Economy and Minister of Planning and Finance Koo Yun-cheol and discussed strengthening cooperation in economic, trade, and financial innovation.
After the meeting, Zhang will head to Beijing to lead a government delegation that will tour the Beijing subcenter and Xion’an New Area in Hebei Province.
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