Hong Kong’s largest licensed crypto exchange, HashKey Group, is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering that could raise up to $500 million, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter.
If completed, the listing would mark one of the biggest public market moves by a digital asset firm in Asia this year.
A Rising Power in Hong Kong
HashKey has become a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s regulated crypto ecosystem, handling roughly $117 million in daily trading volume. Its rapid growth has drawn both attention and imitation — earlier this year, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) warned investors about dozens of fake websites posing as HashKey. The company has since confirmed it is not linked to any of them.
Building Under Stricter Oversight
The potential IPO comes amid Hong Kong’s tighter crypto rules. The city introduced new custody standards in August and signaled plans to curb high-risk stablecoin and derivatives activity, even as it continues positioning itself as Asia’s most open crypto hub.
Despite mainland China’s caution, Hong Kong’s framework has attracted both domestic and international players looking for regulatory clarity.
More Than an Exchange
HashKey’s ambitions go beyond trading. The company recently launched a $500 million Digital Asset Treasury Fund, aimed at helping institutions manage crypto reserves more efficiently. It also gained approval to offer Ether staking services — a step toward integrating staking features with future spot Ethereum ETFs.
Earlier this year, HashKey raised $30 million from Gaorong Ventures at a $1.5 billion valuation, following another round that pushed it past unicorn status in January.
A Milestone for Hong Kong’s Crypto Market
If HashKey moves forward with its IPO, it could become a defining test of investor appetite for regulated crypto businesses in Asia. For Hong Kong, it would represent a validation of its bid to merge traditional finance discipline with digital asset innovation — and a signal that the city’s crypto ambitions are moving firmly into the mainstream.
Source: Bloomberg
