Hong Kong Accepts Crypto Assets as Proof of Wealth for CIES

Hong Kong has approved cryptocurrency holdings as valid proof of wealth for its Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), adjusting the parameters of how it considers digital assets for investment immigration purposes and building on its earlier efforts to relax net worth requirements.

The Hong Kong Investment Promotion Agency confirmed two successful cases where applicants used cryptocurrency to demonstrate the required HK$30 million (US$3.8 million) net worth threshold.

One applicant utilized Bitcoin holdings in October 2024, while another leveraged Ethereum assets in February 2025.

Stephen Barnes, founder of the Hong Kong Visa Center, emphasizes that this development strictly pertains to wealth verification. “The bottom line is you can’t use your crypto to get this visa. You can use it as part of the due diligence process but not to secure the status,” he explains.

Both successful applicants originated from mainland China, and two additional applications using cryptocurrency as proof of assets are under review.

Barnes believes the program’s selective nature makes cryptocurrency acceptance logical, as “only the super-rich can play for this visa” while noting that these digital assets help potential applicants “prove you’ve got the money to play.”

The policy requires applicants to store their digital assets in cold wallets or on major cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance.

This requirement aligns with Hong Kong’s broader strategy to position itself as a global digital finance hub, a shift that began after scrapping the previous version of CIES in 2015.

Barnes emphasizes that “the subsequent investment of 30m HKD will need to be made in the normal course of events.” Cryptocurrency holders must convert their holdings into qualifying investments within six months of approval.

The qualifying investments typically encompass “HKD-denominated listed securities, some form of HK real estate, some form of HK private entity investments, and HKD COD,” according to Barnes.

The program has attracted 670 applications and over HK$20 billion in investments since its March 2024 relaunch.

The approvals follow recent changes to CIES requirements announced in January 2025, which reduced the asset holding period from two years to six months and introduced new provisions for family office investments.

This development follows Hong Kong’s October 2024 expansion of qualifying investment options to include residential properties valued at HK$50 million or above, allowing up to HK$10 million to count toward the investment requirement.