Hong Kong officials boycott conference featuring Eric Trump
Date: 2025-08-28 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: IN WORLD
Senior Hong Kong officials, including Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) chief executive Eric Yip Chee-hang and lawmaker Johnny Ng Kitchong, have pulled out of the Bitcoin Asia 2025 conference, which is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong on August 28-29. The officials have been advised not to engage with Eric Trump to avoid political speculation amid the rocky relationship between China and the US, sources told the South China Morning Post.
The event’s organizers, BTC Inc, led by David Bailey, previously announced that Eric Trump would deliver a talk on the “long-term potential” of bitcoin, its impact on global finance, and Asia’s role in the rise of cryptocurrencies. However, it has now emerged that Ip will not be able to attend due to a business trip, while Kitchong cited “family circumstances.” At the same time, SFC financial technology manager Clarence Shen remains on the list of speakers.
SCMP analysts note that the officials’ refusal is related to the need to avoid any hint of support for Trump or cooperation with his business. Sources close to the regulators emphasized that the recommendations also concerned public positioning on cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
On the other hand, Joshua Chu, co-chairman of the Hong Kong Web3 Association, said that Ip and Kitchong’s decision is purely personal. He emphasized that Eric Trump’s participation is seen as a sign of recognition of Hong Kong’s growing role in the crypto industry.
After the conference, Eric Trump plans to go to Japan to promote his family’s crypto business. On September 1, he is set to attend an extraordinary shareholders meeting of the crypto company Metaplanet in Tokyo, where he has been appointed as an adviser along with David Bailey, who previously advised Donald Trump on cryptocurrency policy during the 2024 election campaign.
Thus, the political environment and the caution of local officials have significantly influenced the composition of the participants of Bitcoin Asia 2025, while interest in crypto market events in Asia continues to grow, and the presence of well-known American entrepreneurs emphasizes the strategic importance of the region for global financial technologies.
The event has become a clear example of how international politics and business are closely intertwined in the field of digital assets, and the caution of officials reflects the balance between innovation and geopolitical risks.
