Chinese companies seek crypto opportunities in Hong Kong

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s campaign to become a regional cryptocurrency hub has attracted a steady stream of business executives from mainland China looking to explore opportunities in the sector despite Beijing’s crackdown on virtual assets.

Lawyers and consultants say the interested parties have included Chinese securities companies and banks attracted by the possibility that retail trading in bitcoins and Ethereum coins will be allowed on the city’s two licensed exchanges, HashKey and OSL.