Esperanza's founder and Group CEO, Leung Wai-chun, announced at a press conference that the company has completed registration with Hong Kong Customs as an issuer of precious metal-backed instruments and finalized its proof of concept. The firm expects to open tokenized gold participation to the Hong Kong public after addressing regulatory concerns and implementing a clear regulatory framework, with plans to collaborate with strategic partners and government entities across economies.
Currently, Esperanza's platform is undergoing small-scale private testing in multiple Asia-Pacific markets, including Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, with a substantial number of verified users who have completed Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Leung emphasized that tokenized gold-based economic development offers an alternative for the region, supporting the continued internationalization of mainland China and Hong Kong's financial sectors while aligning with the central bank-led digital yuan to contribute to RMB globalization.
Leung also revealed that prior to the Policy Address, the group had signed an agreement with Yichen Group (08365) to develop tokenized gold initiatives and engaged in in-depth discussions with the Chief Executive's Policy Unit afterward.
Raymond Lui, Managing Director of Esperanza’s Tokenized Gold Business, clarified that the company’s framework, "ESPE Gold" (ESPG), is legally classified as a "precious metal-backed instrument" rather than a virtual asset, stablecoin, or collective investment scheme. Esperanza purchases physical gold bars compliant with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) standards, stores them in licensed vaults, and issues 100,000 digital certificates per kilogram of gold. These certificates are immutably recorded on the Ethereum blockchain, with each representing one installment payment. Once a customer accumulates 100,000 installments, they can redeem the physical gold bar.
Clients can make installment payments or sell ESPG back to the group at any time, offering greater flexibility compared to traditional gold savings plans. The company’s revenue model relies on gold trading spreads, with future exploration of new models like ESPG-backed lending under existing regulations.
Cheung Chung-yu, Executive Director of Esperanza’s Capital Markets Business, highlighted the group’s tokenized investment portfolio, which includes revenue-sharing agreements for Southeast Asian and Korean artist concerts, film box office earnings, and future hotel income streams.