Eric Trump speaks at Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong

Eric Trump speaks at Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, July 2, 2025 — The Bitcoin Asia conference, scheduled to take place on August 28-29 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, has seen a significant change in its speaker lineup. Two prominent Hong Kong figures, Eric Yip Chee-hang, executive director of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and legislator Johnny Ng Kit-chong, a technology entrepreneur, have withdrawn from the event. The decision comes amidst the event's association with Eric Trump, the son of U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be delivering speeches on the future of Bitcoin and its global impact [1].

The withdrawal of Yip and Ng from the conference is believed to be a result of political sensitivities surrounding the involvement of Eric Trump. The U.S. and China are currently engaged in strained trade relations, with the U.S. imposing significant tariffs on Hong Kong. Hong Kong officials have been cautious in their approach to avoid appearing to align with the Trump administration [1].

The conference, one of the largest international gatherings for cryptocurrency supporters, was initially expected to highlight the future of Bitcoin and Asia's role in its development. However, the withdrawal of Yip and Ng indicates a balancing act between innovation and diplomacy. Despite the withdrawals, the conference will continue, with SFC policy manager Clarence Shen remaining on the speaker list [1].

Eric Trump's role in the crypto industry is growing, with his involvement in companies like American Bitcoin and World Liberty Financial. His talks, titled "All in on Bitcoin" and "Bitcoin Takes Over the World," are expected to attract significant interest. However, Hong Kong's cautious approach reflects greater geopolitical sensitivities [1].

Bitcoin Asia 2025 is a pivotal event for the global Bitcoin community, with the city pushing to become Asia's crypto hub. In June, Hong Kong issued Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets, aiming to become a digital finance leader. The stablecoin ordinance, which came into force on August 1, promotes low-cost real-time transactions [1].

The conference's return to Hong Kong in 2026 further underscores the city's pivotal role in the global Bitcoin economy. BTC Inc., the organizer of the world's largest Bitcoin conferences, has announced that Bitcoin Hong Kong 2026 will take place on August 27-28, 2026 [2].

References:
[1] https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/hong-kong-officials-skip-bitcoin-asia-2025-over-eric-trumps-role/
[2] https://coinedition.com/bitcoin-hong-kong-returns-in-2026/