More than 48,000 visitors from over 120 economies attended Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK 2026.
The event featured more than 1,100 speakers, 800 exhibitors and over 30 delegations, according to Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK).
Discussions covered artificial intelligence (AI), digital assets, tokenisation, financial regulation and cross-border expansion.
Major Banks Outline AI and Digital Asset Plans
Bank of China President Zhang Hui outlined plans to provide at least RMB1 trillion in financing to the AI industry over five years.
HSBC Group CEO Georges Elhedery announced plans to establish a global AI and Emerging Technology Institute in Hong Kong in 2027, focusing on AI, blockchain and quantum cryptography.
Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters highlighted the potential of stablecoins and tokenised deposits in supporting agentic commerce.
UK Financial Conduct Authority Chair Ashley Alder emphasised trust and outcome-based regulation.
Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli, Head of the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub, called for stronger AI stress-testing and safeguards against unreliable data.
Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson discussed how blockchain and tokenised money market funds could improve payments and settlement.
Representatives from Pakistan and Thailand also discussed digital asset regulation, securities tokenisation and cross-border cooperation.
Canadian Startup Wins Global Fast Track 2026
InvestHK’s Global Fast Track 2026 programme received more than 700 applications from over 120 economies.
Canadian company PragmaClin won the competition with its Parkinson’s Remote Interactive Management System.
Other activities included investor meetings, startup showcases and a two-day executive tour to Shenzhen, featuring visits to companies working in AI, electric vehicles, fintech and robotics.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and InvestHK organised the event in collaboration with Hong Kong’s financial regulators and Finoverse.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by InvestHK
