Building fintech career in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is swiftly establishing itself as an international innovation and technology hub, where global talent can explore abundant opportunities. The Government's Policy Statement 2.0 on Digital Assets Development has set out a clear regulatory framework that supports the stability and structure of the professionals need to develop in their long-term careers. These measures also underscore Hong Kong’s institutional commitment to advancing the adoption of stablecoins and tokenisation technologies, strengthening its competitive position globally in the market.

Hong Kong’s fintech landscape

With over 1,100 fintech companies, Hong Kong is a thriving market on the rise. Among these, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has licensed 10 virtual asset trading platform (VATP) operators as of February 2025, offering robust oversight and investor confidence. Under Policy Statement 2.0, the LEAP framework provides a comprehensive approach to development through:

1. Legal and regulatory streamlining;
2. Expanding the suite of tokenised products;
3. Advancing use cases and cross-sectoral collaboration; and
4. People and partnership development

These initiatives have created an innovation-friendly environment where you can apply your skills to groundbreaking projects across the financial technology spectrum.

Career opportunities for fintech talent

Demand for talent skilled in fintech is surging in response to rapid technological advancements. Below are key in-demand growing areas:

• Blockchain Technology and Decentralised Finance (DeFi): Through the proactive participation and support from the government, blockchain technology has fostered a thriving ecosystem and has been widely adopted across financial services, supply chain management, healthcare, and intellectual property rights sectors. Building on this foundation, DeFi delivers a programmable, interoperable financial layer powered by smart contracts and dApps technology, enabling borrowing, lending, trading, and insurance services to operate without traditional intermediaries. It offers 24/7 access, enhanced transparency, and seamless composability, while also introducing new considerations in security, consumer protection, and regulatory compliance.
• Tokenisation Technology: Accelerating in global finance with Hong Kong spearheading legal frameworks for real-world assets (RWAs) and financial instruments. The Government will also promote tokenisation across a broader range of assets, such as precious metals (e.g. gold), non-ferrous metals, and renewable energy (e.g. solar panels).
• Cybersecurity:  Growing rapidly in response to sophisticated threats, with Hong Kong seeing unprecedented demand for specialists in cloud security, AI security, and advanced threat detection. 12,536 security incidents have been reported in 2024 — the highest in five years, driven largely by AI-powered attacks.

As the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise, aspiring talent needs to understand which qualifications and expertise are most valued in the fintech sectors to succeed in Experienced Professional roles.

Requirements for Experienced Professionals in Fintech

For qualified professionals in this space, the market demands expertise in financial technology applications, including distributed ledger technologies, AI, big data and cybersecurity. Key qualifications typically include:

• A relevant bachelor's degree or higher in disciplines like computer science or information science;
• Experience with leading companies in fields such as AI, software development, big data analytics or blockchain; and
• Demonstrated ability to apply technology to financial services challenges, with creative problem-solving skills.

For further information, please visit the Talent List on our website.

To further support professionals in developing these valuable skills, Hong Kong has established a targeted development programme for mid-career fintech professionals:

• The Pilot Scheme on Training Subsidy for Fintech Practitioners: This scheme supports practising fintech professionals working in HKMA-authorised institutions by reimbursing 80% of eligible training costs (up to HK$25,000) for professionals who have attained recognised fintech qualifications in areas such as AI, DLT, Open Banking, and Regtech.

For further career opportunities in fintech, explore resources provided by official government portals like the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and InvestHK, which offer valuable insights, and updates to help you stay connected with the latest industry developments in Hong Kong.

Empowering fintech startups: Financial aid and global platforms

Within this supportive ecosystem, tokenisation has stood out as a particularly promising application. Cyberport is launching the Blockchain & Digital Asset Pilot Subsidy Scheme to accelerate tokenisation initiatives. The scheme provides funding for high-impact applications that could serve as industry benchmarks. Eligible entities can receive up to 80% of project expenses (maximum HK$500,000 per project) for up to three pilot projects.

The city's prominence in the global fintech ecosystem and crypto innovation is further reinforced through major events such as FinTech Week and Bitcoin Asia, which serve as platforms for thought leadership, business networking, and talent exposure, creating valuable opportunities for professionals to showcase their expertise and connect with industry leaders in Hong Kong's flourishing fintech ecosystem.

Now’s the time

With clear policies, a unified governance structure, and rich support ecosystems, Hong Kong stands out globally as a competitive hub for fintech careers. The well-structured development environment, coupled with abundant business opportunities and capital support, overseas professionals can build meaningful, pioneering careers in an Asia’s leading financial gateway, as well as looking to navigate and succeed in the evolving fintech landscape.

The information provided is for reference only and is subject to periodic updates. For the latest information, please visit the relevant website.