Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join our founder and managing partner, Paul Schaus, as part of the U.S. Consulate’s Fintech Trade Mission to Hong Kong. On this trip, my first to Hong Kong, I learned that when constructing high-rise buildings near the mountains, it’s customary to incorporate large gaps, known as “dragon gates,” into their design. This allows for the dragon to see the view, enter, and exit freely. This is a gesture of respect to ensure his safe return. This cultural belief in Feng Shui weaves throughout Hong Kong, and it set me thinking about the connections between this philosophy and Hong Kong’s proactive approach to finance.

Our journey started at the Hong Kong Fintech Week Conference. The convention itself was brimming with familiar faces from banks and fintech firms, an impressive assembly of global powerhouses. Yet, we observed that the sessions had an air of predictability. Buzzwords like AI, sustainability, and tokenization echoed in every corner, and while these innovations hold vast potential, the enthusiasm felt somewhat rehearsed, and very few real use cases could be found. The drum ceremony that opened the conference was a spectacular prelude, charged with energy and production value, setting high expectations. The keynotes, though, didn’t quite match that intensity. The topics felt reminiscent of last year’s trends, or maybe even the last 3 years, leaving attendees with a sense of, “Heard it all before, but when are we going to really see it in action?”

However, our time in Hong Kong quickly evolved beyond the convention. We had the privilege of meeting with key financial stakeholders, including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, executives from Citibank and HSBC, and representatives from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Our discussions with the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association and even an interview with Ming Pao Newspaper added further insight into the local financial ecosystem and media perspectives on fintech.

Each meeting revealed a side of Hong Kong that wasn’t visible from the surface. There seemed to be a determined drive to bridge innovative ideas with real-world applications, and quickly. Where the U.S. and other countries might hesitate or over-regulate, Hong Kong steps boldly forward. For fintech innovators, this more laissez-faire attitude creates an environment where change can flourish without excessive restraint.

In contrast to many parts of the world, where regulatory caution can slow progress, Hong Kong adopts a “let’s see how it goes” mentality, embracing the potential risks of emerging technologies. This city feels like much more than just a financial hub. It appears to act as a testing ground for ambitious ideas, a playground where both established and fledgling capital can experiment and thrive.

As we left Hong Kong, I thought of the dragon. If other countries’ strict financial constraints and regulatory standards were a giant mountain of limitation, Hong Kong is the window and a rare opening where fintechs, banks, and those shaping the future of money can freely play and experiment, and safely return home.