Hong Kong Says AI and Web3 Could Reshape Finance After $2 Billion in Tokenized Bonds

According to Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the convergence of AI and Web3 could transform finance as Hong Kong expands tokenization beyond bonds into currencies, funds, real estate, and future income streams.

Summary

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026 that the convergence of AI and Web3 could reshape financial services as tokenization broadens across asset classes. He said tokenization is expanding from currencies and bonds to equities, real estate, commodities, carbon assets, intellectual property, future cash flow, and future income. Chan also highlighted three key challenges for this shift: building standardized infrastructure, ensuring humans retain control over AI, and updating regulation and governance to support the new financial environment.

Terms & Concepts
  • Web3: A blockchain-based internet model centered on decentralized networks, digital assets, and programmable applications and services.
  • tokenization: The process of representing real-world or financial assets as digital tokens on blockchain or similar digital infrastructure.
  • AI: Artificial intelligence, or software systems that can perform tasks such as analysis, prediction, automation, or decision support.