Ben Caselin, Chief Marketing Officer of VALR, a Pantera-backed crypto exchange, delivered a keynote on the unique patterns of crypto adoption at the Foresight 2024 conference in Hong Kong on Sunday, August 11.
In particular, Caselin focused on the contrasts between how crypto is seen in regions like Hong Kong compared to various countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Crypto adoption in Hong Kong
While Hong Kong is known for cultural and financial innovation, being increasingly recognized for its role in driving Web3, emerging markets such as El Salvador and South Africa are developing their own cryptocurrency hubs.
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In his address, Caselin focused on three key areas where crypto is making its mark: cultural, financial, and monetary.
He pointed out that Hong Kong shines in cultural transformation, especially in Web3, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and community-driven initiatives.
The city has also taken bold steps on the financial front, with the recent launch of Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
However, in emerging markets, the focus is shifting more towards financial and monetary transformations. As Caselin explains:
“These regions are witnessing a rapid shift towards financial participation through crypto. We’re seeing a surge in remittances, payments, and the development of new financial infrastructure to make it easier to hedge against domestic conditions. Moreover, the potential for monetary transformation, including a decoupling from established fiat currencies, is more pronounced in emerging markets.”
The role of VALR in crypto adoption
Caselin also emphasized VALR’s role in fostering the change.
The CMO stated that the platform is paving the way for institutional and corporate involvement in the crypto economy by offering access to innovative financial products and services.
By providing strong infrastructure and supporting local Fintech, Caselin believes the company can accelerate digital asset adoption and enhance the financial well-being of millions.
