AGTECH HOLDINGS (08279) saw a 23% surge in early trading, extending its monthly gain to over 120% and its year-to-date increase to more than 700%. At the time of writing, the stock was up 14.44% at HK$1.545, with a turnover of HK$124 million.

On the news front, on July 7, the Hong Kong Gold Central Clearing and Settlement System officially launched trial operations, completing the first gold deposits and the first transaction settlements. Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, previously stated that the goal of building an international gold market in Hong Kong is very clear: through cooperation with the Shanghai Gold Exchange, they aim to jointly enhance the country's voice and influence in the global precious metals market, striving to increase Hong Kong's gold storage capacity to over 2,000 tonnes within the next three years.

Notably, in June of this year, AGTECH HOLDINGS submitted an application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for a transfer to the Main Board. On July 23, the company announced that its subsidiary, TGX, had officially formed a partnership with the Hong Kong Gold Exchange. The two parties will jointly establish a joint venture to deepen strategic cooperation in the digital infrastructure of precious metals trading, promoting a comprehensive upgrade of Hong Kong's precious metals trading, clearing, and settlement system.