Johnny Ng Champions Hong Kong as a Global Bridge for Crypto and Web3

Hong Kong legislator Johnny Ng is taking a long-term, cooperative approach to crypto regulation, rejecting zero-sum competition in favor of global connectivity. As governments in the U.S., China, and across Asia pursue divergent digital asset policies, Ng is focused on positioning Hong Kong as a bridge between markets, technologies, and jurisdictions that rarely align.

Representing the technology sector in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, Ng has become one of the city’s most outspoken advocates for Web3, blockchain innovation, and regulated crypto finance. He will be speaking at CoinDesk’s Consensus Hong Kong conference, where he is expected to expand on his vision for the city’s role in the global digital asset ecosystem.

Over the past two years, Ng has supported stablecoin legislation, crypto exchange licensing frameworks, and policies aimed at establishing Hong Kong as a trusted, regulated crypto hub. However, his broader ambition goes beyond legislation. Ng believes Hong Kong’s true strength lies in its ability to connect traditional finance with crypto-native innovation, and the East with the West.

Hong Kong’s common law system, English-language courts, free capital flows, and deep concentration of global financial institutions give it a unique advantage in building a secure and credible crypto ecosystem. Ng argues these foundations allow the city to scale digital assets responsibly while maintaining investor confidence.

This role becomes even more significant within the Greater Bay Area, which links Hong Kong with major mainland cities such as Shenzhen and Macau. While mainland China offers manufacturing scale, engineering talent, and a young tech-savvy workforce, Hong Kong provides legal clarity, capital access, and global market integration. Together, they form a powerful innovation corridor.

Ng has also emphasized that crypto is inherently global, noting that it cannot be constrained by national borders. His 2023 invitation to major exchanges like Coinbase to consider Hong Kong was not about competition, but about regulatory coordination and openness.

Looking ahead, Ng expects further developments in custody rules, over-the-counter crypto trading, and professional investor access. He also sees growing convergence between crypto and artificial intelligence, with Hong Kong uniquely positioned to work across Western and Chinese datasets.

By staying open, regulated, and globally connected, Ng believes Hong Kong can sit at the center of the evolving crypto and Web3 economy.