HKUST Business Review

Strengthening Hong Kong’s Edge as a Global Financial Hub Shifting geopolitical currents, rapid technological breakthroughs, and rising sustainability expectations are redefining global finance. For Hong Kong, navigating this complex environment is both a challenge and an opportunity. Established against this backdrop, the Institute for Financial Research (IFR) aims to help the city adapt to change and reinforce its standing as a leading international financial center. By harnessing knowledge and resources across disciplines, schools, and universities, IFR serves as a hub for pioneering ideas and impactful collaboration. Its research agenda addresses pressing social and economic issues, translating academic rigor into insights that resonate with industry and policy communities. “Addressing today’s economic and societal challenges demands an interdisciplinary approach to financial research, one that integrates insights from finance, economics, and a broad range of related fields,” said Professor LOU Dong, Director of IFR. “By leveraging global expertise and the University’s academic strengths, we aim to produce research that provides industry leaders and policymakers with the analytical depth and foresight needed for sound, forward looking decision making.” Guided by an international Advisory Board of 20 distinguished experts, the Institute operates as a global platform for practical, policy-relevant research. Its five interdisciplinary research centers span areas including technological innovation, environmental and social responsibility, macro finance, digital assets, and wealth management. Through high-level summits, industry partnerships, and targeted research initiatives, IFR connects theory with practice—shaping dialogue and solutions for a rapidly evolving financial landscape. HKUST’s Institute for Financial Research brings interdisciplinary insight and global expertise to tackle pressing financial, economic, and societal challenges. Established strategic partnerships with leading industry organizations, including: • HashKey Exchange to foster innovation in blockchain and AI • Shanghai Data Exchange to advance cooperation in the digital economy and data‑element markets • Matrixport to pursue cutting‑edge research on digital assets and real‑world‑asset tokenization • Baiwang to jointly develop a “data brain” for the AI era Highlights of IFR’s research and industry engagement initiatives Organized industry engagement events that brought together experts for knowledge sharing • Summit in collaboration with Tsinghua University’s Institute for Global Development on enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center in the new era • Seminar in collaboration with OKG Research and the HKUST Crypto-Fintech Lab on Hong Kong’s new stablecoin legislation • Fireside chat with former Director-General of the World Trade Organization on global trade and geoeconomic shifts IFR’s in-depth report on gold tokenization in collaboration with Matrixport 58 HKUST Business Review