Consensus Hong Kong 2026: A Major Gathering for Digital Finance and Innovation
Consensus Hong Kong 2026, held from February 10 to 12 at the renowned Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, has successfully concluded its second edition, drawing in a record 11,000 registered participants from more than 122 countries. The conference was part of a wider initiative to position Hong Kong at the forefront of the global dialogue surrounding finance and digital assets.
The event began with an insightful keynote address from The Honourable John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR. He emphasized the significant potential that Web3 and digital assets hold for transforming financial transactions into more efficient, cost-effective, and inclusive operations. Lee underscored the Hong Kong government's commitment to establishing the region as a pivotal global hub for innovation in digital assets, coupled with ongoing efforts to develop a robust regulatory framework that encourages the sustainable growth of the Web3 ecosystem.
The economic impact of the event is projected to be close to HK$300 million for the local economy, demonstrating the importance of such gatherings for Hong Kong's financial landscape. Notably, the audience was almost evenly split between participants from Asia and other global regions. Among the countries with the highest attendance were the U.S., China, India, UAE, Singapore, the UK, and South Korea. Remarkably, 62% of attendees occupied senior leadership positions, showcasing the event's role as a critical meeting point for influential decision-makers within the industry.
Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, highlighted the rapid convergence of AI and blockchain technologies in his keynote speech. He pointed out the need for government collaboration with the tech sector to create impactful use cases while effectively managing potential risks that accompany these innovations.
This year, over 350 distinguished speakers illuminated various facets of the digital asset sector, covering topics such as institutional adoption, stablecoins, and the infrastructure of emerging 'Internet Capital Markets.' The agenda shone a spotlight on the increasingly recognized 'Machine Economy,' addressing how AI agents and robotics can integrate seamlessly with blockchain execution systems.
Among the prominent speakers were industry stalwarts like Lily Liu from the Solana Foundation, Richard Teng of Binance, Justin Sun of TRON, and Anthony Scaramucci of SkyBridge Capital. The event was also a hotbed for innovation, featuring more than 1,000 developers and 240 startups competing in the EasyA Consensus Hackathon and CoinDesk PitchFest. Winners included zkMe Technology Limited, FoundrAI, SentinelFi, and PumpStop, each showcasing inventive solutions leveraging state-of-the-art technology.
In addition, Solana Foundation launched Solana Accelerate APAC at the conference on February 11, inviting numerous builders, policymakers, and industry leaders to engage in discussions relevant to the Solana ecosystem, such as payments, institutional finance, DeFi, and AI infrastructure.
Beyond the formal agenda, the event transformed Hong Kong into a thriving hub of industry experiences throughout the week, alongside 400 side events. Attendees enjoyed vibrant official parties at venues like The Trilogy, Pier 1929, and a lively return to the Happy Valley Racecourse with The Consensus Cup.
With enthusiastic support from 124 sponsors and over 240 community partners, Consensus Hong Kong 2026 solidified Hong Kong's status as a global center for digital assets. Remarking on the event, Michael Lau, Chairman of Consensus, noted its crucial role in exhibiting advancements across digital assets, AI, robotics, and internet capital markets. Lau expressed excitement about the upcoming Consensus Miami event scheduled for May 5-7, 2026, which will advance the conversations initiated in Hong Kong.
The Consensus series, hosted by CoinDesk, has earned its reputation as a premier gathering for global crypto, blockchain, and AI industries. It serves as a vital platform for understanding the future of digital assets, spotlighting topics such as DeFi, Web3, and the evolving regulatory landscape. As the event continues to grow and evolve, industry leaders gather to explore the latest trends shaping the digital economy.