“Virtually all transactions will eventually be on blockchains, and all money will be digital,” he said. Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered. He predicted a “complete rewiring of the financial system” while speaking at Hong Kong FinTech Week. “Think about what that means: a complete reconfiguration of the financial system,” he said. “But we don’t know exactly how.”
Notably, Standard Chartered’s spot cryptocurrency trading offering recently became a reality. The bank became the first G-SIB (global systemically important bank) to offer its institutional clients direct access to spot trading of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) on a regulated basis.
Bill Winters, CEO of StanChart, on stage saying that “all money will be digital in the future.” Happening now at HK FinTech Week pic.twitter.com/Rsu9kgd9tJ
—Alan Lau (@alanlau999) November 3, 2025
The service launched in July 2025 and integrates with Standard Chartered’s existing trading platforms, enabling Bitcoin and Ethereum trading on familiar currency interfaces. Additionally, customers can reach agreements with a custodian of their choice, including the bank’s in-house custody service offerings. Rene Michau, global head of digital assets, explained that while the offering is currently limited to trading hours in Asia and Europe, 24/5 access is being considered depending on customer demand.
Meanwhile, HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery agreed with Winters. He advanced the conversation by insisting on the importance and development of AI. “This has been an eye-opener,” Elhedery said, while discussing China and Hong Kong’s AI strategy, in contrast to the United States, as evidenced by the “DeepSeek moment.”
DISCOVER: 20+ upcoming cryptocurrencies that will explode in 2025
Hong Kong opens crypto exchanges to global liquidity through shared order books
Hong Kong will do it allow crypto exchanges licensed to connect with global order books. This will finally put an end to the city’s closed-loop model.
Unveiled at Hong Kong FinTech Week, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said the change is part of a broader effort to align the structure of the digital asset market with traditional finance.
Julia Leung, CEO of SFC, said: “Making consistent progress in market liquidity and trading offerings is crucial to maintaining the growth momentum of Hong Kong’s digital asset ecosystem.”
He added: “Today we take an important step to connect with global liquidity, underscoring our commitment to striking the right balance to foster innovation and market vitality while maintaining high standards of investor protection and market integrity.”
HONG KONG HAS JUST ANNOUNCED PLANS TO FACILITATE #BITCOIN AND CRYPTO TRADING
CHINA ARRIVES!! pic.twitter.com/oG1VkFt4w5
—Vivek Sen (@Vivek4real_) November 3, 2025
DISCOVER: Next Crypto 1000X: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Reach 1000x by 2025
Hong Kong SFC offers good news for HKD-backed stablecoins
Regarding stablecoins, the SFC said it will allow platform operators to offer virtual asset trading without a 12-month history for professional investors and for stablecoins licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as well as distribute tokenized securities and investment products related to digital assets.
“In addition, entities associated with Platform Operators may provide custody services for virtual assets or tokenized securities that are not traded on their platforms,” the SFC said.
X watchers wonder: “Is China testing the waters through Hong Kong?”
Explore: Tether CEO on USAT, Bitcoin and why 2025 was the right time to enter the US – 99Bitcoins Event Coverage
Key takeaways
-
Hong Kong’s decision to allow licensed exchanges to access global liquidity through shared order books is a fundamental structural change. Aligns the city’s crypto market with mature market practices.
-
The SFC’s policy coincides with broader efforts to diversify Hong Kong’s product mix, including permissions for licensed platforms to support digital securities and integrate more regulated stablecoin offerings for professional investors.
The post Standard Chartered CEO predicts all transactions on blockchains, all money will be digital during Hong Kong FinTech Week appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
