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Circle Forum Hong Kong

Join us for a discussion on the evolution of digital finance in Asia

Thank you for making this Circle’s largest Forum yet. Missed it? Watch the highlights.

Join a distinguished group of leaders in digital finance for discussions on the evolution of money in Asia.

Together, we’ll examine topics including the exponential growth of digital asset adoption in Asia, strategic advantages for frontrunners in digital asset regulations, and what comes next for the future of digital finance.

Images of Circle leadership

Agenda

The Circle Forum agenda is set to showcase a dynamic assembly of industry experts and thought leaders. Please note that sessions will be delivered in English.

11:30 am

Check-in, Refreshments & Networking

12:30 P.M.

Welcome

Speaker

Yam Ki Chan

Vice President, Asia Pacific, Circle

12:35 P.M.

Keynote

Speaker

Jeremy Allaire

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Circle

1:00 P.m.

regulation

The Positioning and Latest Development of Hong Kong’s Virtual Asset Business

In this enlightening session, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Joseph Chan will discuss the dynamic evolution of Hong Kong’s financial industry landscape, and the Government’s support and measures for fintech innovations. Attendees will get to learn more about Hong Kong’s unique position and advantage, fortified by its robust financial infrastructure and well-established financial services industry as Hong Kong affirms its status as a leading international financial center.

Speaker

Joseph H.L. Chan, JP

Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of Hong Kong SAR

1:20 P.m.

regulation

Fireside Chat with The Honorable Duncan Chiu

Speakers

The Honorable Duncan Chiu

Legislative Council Member, Technology & Innovation Constituency

Yam Ki Chan

Vice President, Asia Pacific, Circle

1:45 P.m.

Circle Connections networking break

2:05 P.m.

PAYMENTS

Beyond Borders: How Thunes is Transforming International Money Movement

In this fireside chat, we'll explore how Thunes is creating a seamless global payment network that connects businesses across 130+ countries. The discussion will focus on Thunes's innovative approach to reducing fees, increasing transaction speed, and improving transparency in cross-border payments. Attendees will gain insights into the future of international money transfers and how businesses can leverage this technology to expand their global reach.

Speakers

Yam Ki Chan

Vice President, Asia Pacific, Circle

Kyle Rosen

Head of Product, Thunes

2:25 P.m.

banking

Stablecoins, Blockchains and the Future of Commerce

In this session, join leaders from AMINA Group and Standard Chartered Bank as they explore the potential of stablecoins and blockchain technology in reshaping global commerce. Our speakers will provide insights into how their respective companies are positioning themselves at the forefront of this financial revolution, working with regulators and partners to build trust and interoperability in the digital asset ecosystem.

This session will delve into blockchain technology’s evolution from a speculative investment vehicle into a powerful tool for everyday transactions, potentially mirroring the explosive growth of the internet in the 1990s and 2000s.

Speakers

Jeremy Fox-Geen

Chief Financial Officer, Circle

Amy Yu

Chief Executive Officer, APAC, AMINA Group

René Michau

Global Head, Digital Assets, Standard Chartered Bank

2:45 P.m.

developers

Circle Builders: Creating the Next Wave of Onchain Applications

In this session, we'll showcase innovative developers who are leveraging Circle's Platform, Community, and Grants programs to bring onchain applications to life. Through their journeys from concept to mainnet launch, these Circle Builders demonstrate the transformative potential of decentralized applications and inspire the next wave of innovation in our growing ecosystem.

Speaker

Sandra Persing

VP, Developer & Ecosystem Marketing, Circle

2:55 P.m.

Circle Platform: Reimagining Finance

Speaker

Ian Lin

Director of Product Management, Circle

3:15 P.m.

fintech

HKT: Building a Next Generation Web3 Loyalty Platform

Join us for a timely conversation with Monita Leung, CEO of HKT Digital Ventures, as she shares how Hong Kong's leading telecommunications company is blazing the trail in responsible innovation through Web3 technologies with Circle.

This session will offer valuable insights for anyone looking to understand the practical applications of Web3 in enhancing customer relationships. Attendees will gain a firsthand look at how HKT is leveraging blockchain technology to create meaningful value for merchants and consumers.

Speakers

Elisabeth Carpenter

Chief Operating Officer, Circle

Monita Leung

CEO, Digital Ventures, HKT

3:35 P.m.

Circle Connections networking break

3:55 P.m.

finance

The Forefront of Innovation: How Digital Assets Are Improving Finance

In this session, executives from Bullish, HashKey Group, and OSL will explain how digital assets are changing finance and improving existing systems. The panel will discuss Hong Kong's strengths as a virtual asset hub, including its historic leadership in finance, connections to global markets, and future innovations that are already becoming a reality.

Speakers

Eugene Cheung

Chief Institutional Business Officer, OSL

Samuel Lok

Head of Compliance, HashKey

Mick Horgan

Head of Custody, Bullish

Ben Morris

Senior Director, Business Development, APAC, Circle

4:15 P.m.

Payments

Updating the Global Payment System

In this panel discussion, industry experts from Visa, Reap, and Redot Pay will explore challenges and opportunities surrounding payments as they exist today. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges businesses and consumers face with payments and the immense opportunities that stablecoins can unlock.

The speakers on this panel will share real-world examples of the importance of stablecoins in the global financial system while exploring how the rise of near-instant payment networks equipped with stablecoin technology can make payments and payouts faster, more cost-efficient, and more secure.

Speakers

Elisabeth Carpenter

Chief Operating Officer, Circle

Daren Guo

Co-Founder, Reap

Michael Gao

Co-Founder & CEO, RedotPay

Nischint Sanghavi

Head of Digital Currencies – APAC, VISA

4:40 P.m.

platform

Ant International: Stablecoins and the New Digital Economy

Join Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, as he sits down with Kelvin Li, Head of Platform Tech, Ant International, for a compelling conversation about stablecoins and their transformative potential in commerce. These generational technology leaders will explore how Ant Group is pioneering innovation within the realms of digital assets and blockchain technology. Discover strategic insights that could shape the future landscape of digital finance around the world.

Speakers

Kelvin Li

Head of Platform Tech, Ant International

Jeremy Allaire

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Circle

5:10 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.

Closing Happy Hour

Featured Speakers

Jeremy Allaire

Jeremy Allaire

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Circle
Joseph H. L. Chan, JP

Joseph H. L. Chan, JP

Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury The Government of Hong Kong SAR
The Honourable Duncan Chiu

The Honourable Duncan Chiu

Legislative Council Member, Technology & Innovation Constituency
Elisabeth Carpenter

Elisabeth Carpenter

Chief Operating Officer, Circle
Li Fan

Li Fan

Chief Technology Officer, Circle
Jeremy Fox-Geen

Jeremy Fox-Geen

Chief Financial Officer, Circle
Sandra Persing

Sandra Persing

VP, Developer & Ecosystem Marketing, Circle
Yam Ki Chan

Yam Ki Chan

Head of APAC, Circle
Ian Lin

Ian Lin

Director of Product Management, Circle
Michael Gao

Michael Gao

Co-Founder & CEO, RedotPay
Daren Guo

Daren Guo

Co-Founder, Reap
Monita Leung

Monita Leung

CEO, Digital Ventures, HKT
René Michau

René Michau

Global Head, Digital Assets, Standard Chartered Bank
Nischint Sanghavi

Nischint Sanghavi

Head of Digital Currencies – Asia Pacific, VISA
Eugene Cheung

Eugene Cheung

Chief Institutional Business Officer, OSL
Amy Yu

Amy Yu

Chief Executive Officer, APAC, AMINA Group
Samuel Lok

Samuel Lok

Head of Compliance, HashKey

Sessions

The Circle Forum agenda is set to showcase a dynamic assembly of industry experts and thought leaders. While we will continue to announce additional sessions and speakers, we are pleased to unveil the current line-up.

RETAIL

Stablecoins, Blockchains and the Future of Commerce

In this session, join leaders from AMINA Group and Standard Chartered Bank as they explore the potential of stablecoins and blockchain technology in reshaping global commerce. Our speakers will provide insights into how their respective companies are positioning themselves at the forefront of this financial revolution, working with regulators and partners to build trust and interoperability in the digital asset ecosystem.

This session will delve into blockchain technology’s evolution from a speculative investment vehicle into a powerful tool for everyday transactions, potentially mirroring the explosive growth of the internet in the 1990s and 2000s.

DEvelopers

Circle Builders: Creating the Next Wave of Onchain Applications

In this session, we'll showcase innovative developers who are leveraging Circle's Platform, Community, and Grants programs to bring onchain applications to life. Through their journeys from concept to mainnet launch, these Circle Builders demonstrate the transformative potential of decentralized applications and inspire the next wave of innovation in our growing ecosystem.

Finance

The Forefront of Innovation: How Digital Assets Are Improving Finance

In this session, executives from Bullish, HashKey Group, and OSL will explain how digital assets are changing finance and improving existing systems. The panel will discuss Hong Kong's strengths as a virtual asset hub, including its historic leadership in finance, connections to global markets, and future innovations that are already becoming a reality.

PAYMENTS

Updating The Global Payment System

In this panel discussion, industry experts from Visa, Reap, and Redot Pay will explore challenges and opportunities surrounding payments as they exist today. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges businesses and consumers face with payments and the immense opportunities that stablecoins can unlock.

The speakers on this panel will share real-world examples of the importance of stablecoins in the global financial system while exploring how the rise of near-instant payment networks equipped with stablecoin technology can make payments and payouts faster, more cost-efficient, and more secure.

REGULATION

A Fireside Chat with Legislative Council Member, The Honourable Duncan Chiu

More details coming soon.

FINTECH

HKT: Building A Next Generation Web3 Loyalty Platform

Join us for a timely conversation with Monita Leung, CEO of HKT Digital Ventures, as she shares how Hong Kong's leading telecommunications company is blazing the trail in responsible innovation through Web3 technologies with Circle.

This session will offer valuable insights for anyone looking to understand the practical applications of Web3 in enhancing customer relationships. Attendees will gain a firsthand look at how HKT is leveraging blockchain technology to create meaningful value for merchants and consumers.

The Venue

Four Seasons Hong Kong
8 Finance Street
Central, Hong Kong

Located in the heart of the city’s financial and cultural center, the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong boasts a convenient location near the MTR and ferry piers and is adjacent to the IFC Mall and corporate institutions.

Outside of the Four Seasons Hong Kong
Inside of the Four Seasons Hong Kong
Outside view of the Four Seasons Hong Kong
Blocktober event image

Blocktober 2024

Circle is proud to join global Web3 leaders in hosting anchor events during Blocktober 2024, a month-long celebration of blockchain technology and innovation.

Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce, and financial applications worldwide.

Circle is the issuer of USDC — a leading regulated dollar stablecoin that’s highly liquid, trusted, and operates natively on the internet. Our open platform also empowers low-cost access to digital financial technology and regulated digital dollars.