PANews reported on February 21 that according to a Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao report, a survey by the Hong Kong Securities Association showed that although half of the industry respondents said they recorded losses last year, 7% and 21% believed that their business would expand significantly and moderately this year. The survey showed that the securities industry believed that "AI financial applications", "stablecoins and virtual assets", and "securities market reform" would become the three major engines of Hong Kong's financial development, with the proportion of those choosing "stablecoins and virtual assets" as high as 28%.

In addition, the survey also found that the Hong Kong securities industry believes that the most worthy financial themes for investment and development in 2025 include virtual assets, investor overseas immigration plans, family offices, green finance, etc., among which virtual assets account for the highest proportion, reaching 36%. Li Yingyu, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Securities Association, said that with the development of the emerging industry of virtual assets of local securities firms, many mainland capitals are interested in expanding their business in Hong Kong by purchasing licenses. The number of people who have consulted securities firms about purchasing licenses has also increased recently.