Paul Chan: Hong Kong is actively promoting the establishment of a gold central settlement system, with a trial run expected to commence within the year.

BlockBeats News, January 18 — John Lee, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR, published a financial essay titled “Seizing Development Opportunities Amid Complex International Situations,” which pointed out that the role of gold as a central bank reserve, investment product, and risk hedging tool has been further strengthened. Gold prices have accumulated a rise of over 60% by 2025, the largest increase since 1979. As of the third quarter last year, global gold demand value increased by 44% year-on-year to $146 billion. The Hong Kong gold spot trading market has become significantly more active. By November last year, the average daily trading volume of the Hong Kong Gold Exchange’s 999 Gold more than doubled year-on-year to HKD 2.9 billion. Hong Kong is accelerating the establishment of a gold central clearing system as an important financial infrastructure to enhance the reliability and efficiency of Hong Kong’s gold trading and physical delivery, reduce transaction costs, and increase liquidity. The goal is to initiate a trial run within this year and invite the Shanghai Gold Exchange to participate.