Hong Kong’s Central Bank Charges Ahead with Digital Currency and Fintech Infrastructure Under ’Fintech 2025’ Strategy

Hong Kong's monetary authority doubles down on digital transformation—launching CBDC pilots while building next-generation financial infrastructure.

The Digital Onslaught

Central bank digital currencies roll out across testing phases, connecting traditional banking with blockchain networks. Payment systems get overhauled with instant settlement capabilities that leave legacy infrastructure in the dust.

Fintech Arms Race

Regulatory sandboxes expand for blockchain startups while digital identity frameworks create seamless KYC processes. Cross-border payment corridors multiply—bypassing correspondent banking delays and fees that have plagued international transfers for decades.

Because apparently watching other countries dominate digital finance for five years was enough motivation—better late than never when your financial hub status is on the line.

DRW Holdings and Liberty City Ventures are at the forefront of a substantial $500 million fundraising effort for a Canton Coin treasury, as reported by Cointelegraph. This initiative marks a significant institutional backing for the Canton Network, a blockchain designed to facilitate compliant trading by financial institutions.

Fundraising Details

The fundraising aims to establish a publicly listed digital asset treasury that will hold Canton Coin (CC), the native token of the Canton Network. DRW Holdings and Liberty City Ventures are expected to contribute the majority of the funds, with external investors anticipated to invest between $100 million and $200 million. However, the specifics of the deal remain open to change as it has not yet been finalized, according to unnamed sources cited in a Bloomberg report.

Institutional Involvement

DRW Holdings, a Chicago-based trading firm, and Liberty City Ventures, a New York-based venture capital firm, are both prominent backers of the Canton Network. Their involvement underscores the growing interest and confidence in blockchain technology among major financial institutions. The Canton Network is already supported by significant entities such as Digital Asset, HSBC, BNP Paribas, CBOE, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and Paxos.

Recent Developments

The news of the fundraising follows a partnership between the Canton Network and BitGo, a digital asset technology company. BitGo will integrate custody support for Canton Coin, providing banks and asset managers with a regulatory-compliant method to access the network. This integration is set to offer cold-storage custody, insurance-backed security, and potential ecosystem growth through stablecoins and other on-chain assets.

Network Expansion

In addition to the fundraising and partnership with BitGo, the Canton Network recently onboarded two significant validators, P2P.org and Chainlink. Chainlink, in particular, has joined as a “super validator” and will integrate its data services and cross-chain interoperability protocol, further enhancing the network's capabilities.

As the Canton Network continues to expand its reach and capabilities, the planned $500 million treasury fund represents a pivotal step in reinforcing its position within the institutional blockchain space.

• canton coin
• blockchain
• institutional investment