According to Bloomberg Business, HashKey Holdings Ltd., which runs Hong Kong’s largest licensed crypto exchange, is aiming to raise up to HK$1.67 billion, or roughly $215 million, through an initial public offering. The company plans to offer 240.6 million shares at a price range of HK$5.95 to HK$6.95 each. At the top end of that range, the firm would be valued at approximately HK$19 billion. Investor order books opened on Tuesday, December 10, and will close this Friday, December 13. Trading of the shares is officially scheduled to begin on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Tuesday, December 17. You can find the official filing here.
Market impact and competitive landscape
This is a big deal, but it’s also a huge test. HashKey is trying to pull off a major, traditional IPO for a crypto business in a pretty skeptical market. And they’re doing it from Hong Kong, which has been trying to position itself as a crypto hub. If this goes well, it could signal to other exchanges that there’s a viable path to public markets outside of the US, especially with all the regulatory friction over there.
But here’s the thing: who are the winners and losers here? A successful listing would be a massive win for Hong Kong’s financial authorities, validating their pro-crypto licensing framework. It would also put pressure on other regional players. The losers? Possibly other Asian exchanges that haven’t secured the same level of regulatory blessing. They might find it harder to attract institutional money if HashKey becomes the “safe,” listed option.
So what about the pricing? A valuation near HK$19 billion is… ambitious. It shows confidence, but it also sets a high bar. The crypto market isn’t exactly in a raging bull phase right now. They’re basically asking public market investors, who can be a conservative bunch, to buy into the volatility and regulatory uncertainty of the crypto world. Can they pull it off? The order book demand over the next few days will tell us everything. This isn’t just an IPO; it’s a referendum on the maturity of the entire licensed crypto sector in Asia.
