There Is a Big Chance China Will Rethink Its Crypto Ban, and Hong Kong’s Web3 Embrace Is the Key

Key Takeaways

• The likelihood of China lifting its crypto trading ban has risen significantly, fueled by Hong Kong’s expanding crypto market.
• Yifan He, CEO of Red Date Technology, believes the chances now exceed 50%.
• China imposed a blanket ban on crypto trading in 2021, but shifting global dynamics may force a reconsideration.

China’s hardline stance on cryptocurrency may be softening, as mounting evidence suggests a growing openness to the industry.

Hong Kong’s increasing prominence as a regulated crypto hub is playing a pivotal role in this shift, providing a potential bridge for China to re-enter the market.

China’s Crypto Ban May Be on the Verge of a Shift

In an interview with CNBC, Yifan He, CEO of Chinese blockchain firm Red Date Technology, said the probability of China reversing its ban is now more than 50%.

“Two years ago, if you had asked me about China’s chances of unbanning crypto, I would have said zero,” he noted. “But today, it’s more than 50%.”

He highlighted Hong Kong’s role in Web3 adoption as a crucial factor:

“Hong Kong is extremely important, especially in terms of its position in the Web3 space. It’s bridging the gap between China and the rest of the world in the crypto ecosystem.”

The rise of regulated crypto exchanges in Hong Kong and its close economic ties with China could gradually open the door for mainland participation in the digital asset space.

Signs of a Shift: Growing Political and Economic Pressure

China’s blanket ban, imposed in 2021, wiped out crypto trading within the country’s borders and led to a mass exodus of Bitcoin miners. Yet, despite Beijing’s restrictions, decentralized financial tools have continued to operate in the shadows.

There have also been legal precedents offering some protection to crypto holders in China despite the government’s official stance. Courts have ruled in favor of Bitcoin ownership rights, reinforcing the complexity of outright enforcement.

Several key industry figures have suggested that China could gradually ease its restrictions.

Tron founder Justin Sun hinted last year that Beijing might eventually reconsider, while HashKey CEO recently predicted that the U.S.-China trade competition—combined with Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance—might force Beijing’s hand.

The geopolitical landscape could also be a driving factor. With Trump’s push for a strategic U.S. Bitcoin reserve gaining traction, Hong Kong lawmakers have floated the idea of China launching its own rival Bitcoin reserve.

China has already demonstrated a willingness to counter U.S. dominance in emerging technologies. The country recently unveiled its AI chatbot, Deepseek, claiming it was developed at a fraction of the cost of OpenAI’s ChatGPT while outperforming it.

A similar pattern could emerge in crypto. As global superpowers race to lead the digital economy, China may find itself with little choice but to reconsider its stance—especially with Hong Kong proving how regulated crypto markets can thrive within the region.