The University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) business school is preparing to accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies for tuition payments and donations, marking a significant step for crypto adoption in Asia. Professor Cai Hongbin, dean of HKU’s business and economics faculty, confirmed at the CryptoFi Forum this week that
“all the technical details have been sorted out,” adding, “We will take Bitcoin and digital currencies for tuition fees and donations in the future.”
While no official launch date has been set, the initiative aligns with Hong Kong’s recent push to strengthen its position as a global cryptocurrency hub. The new Stablecoins Ordinance, effective August 1, 2025, introduces a licensing system for companies issuing stablecoins backed by traditional currency.
Professor Cai acknowledged the risks of Bitcoin’s volatility but emphasized that the school is prepared to handle potential losses, noting,
“If we lose money, we will be losing the money of the faculty… but at least let us give it a try.”
Local lawmakers have suggested converting Bitcoin payments into Hong Kong dollars immediately to minimize risk and stressed compliance with Know Your Customer regulations.
Industry figures, including Binance founder Zhao Changpeng, attended the forum, highlighting growing confidence in Hong Kong’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation. Unlike mainland China, which banned most crypto activities in 2021, Hong Kong continues to encourage digital asset adoption under careful oversight.
If successful, HKU could become one of the first major universities in Asia to accept Bitcoin directly for tuition, potentially setting a trend for other institutions across the region.