Compliance as the foundation, RWA as the wings: How does EX.IO build a global benchmark for the Hong Kong Web3 industry?

During the Hong Kong FinTech Week, ME CEO Jessica visited the CAI Building in Hong Kong to attend the opening ceremony of the new office of the licensed exchange EX.IO and had an exclusive interview with its co-founder and CEO Wu Chen. From compliance finance to RWA innovation, and to globalization strategy, EX.IO is building a new chapter of Web3 belonging to Hong Kong. Article author, source: 0xArthur, ME

ME CEO Jessica (left) with EX.IO co-founder and CEO Wu Chen (right) Compliance exchange new forces: from Shanghai to Tianhou, EX.IO's dual-base layout “I am Wu Chen from EX.IO, you can call me Chen Er.” Wu Chen started with a smile. EX.IO, as one of the 11 licensed virtual asset exchanges in Hong Kong, stated that its emergence represents the transition of the Hong Kong virtual asset market from “licensed oligopoly” to “diversification and innovation.” Currently, EX.IO supports trading mainstream assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and USDC, and allows users to freely convert between bank accounts and digital wallets. “Within a strict Compliance framework, users can confidently allocate and invest their assets,” she emphasized. EX.IO is headquartered on the 2nd floor of 308 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, and is a licensed virtual asset exchange strictly regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Additionally, in the CAI Building in Tin Hau, EX.IO has set up a global ecological office—this symbolizes the open innovation of Web3 and carries the professional style of traditional finance. “We hope this space will become a bridge connecting traditional finance and Web3.”

Screenshot of Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission website RWA Track: Making Compliance the Engine of Asset Innovation When asked about the business focus of EX.IO, Chen Er pointed out without hesitation that RWA (Real World Assets) will be a key direction in the future. “Soon, everyone will see RWA products from Europe, America, and Hong Kong on our platform,” she revealed. These assets will be issued in a highly compliant manner, initially targeting professional investors, and will gradually open up to retail investors. “We hope these products are not only safe but can also be truly accepted by large institutions and ultimately benefit a broader user base.” Chen Er believes that the core value of RWA lies in “injecting new vitality into traditional financial assets using blockchain technology”—EX.IO aims to build a complete RWA ecosystem for primary issuance, secondary trading, and full lifecycle management. “The projects we are working on are all innovations that have never been seen in the market, and we hope to truly generate financial efficiency through technology.” From Hong Kong to the World: Landing in the Middle East and Licensing Layout in Multiple Regions In addition to Hong Kong, EX.IO is also actively promoting its internationalization strategy. “We have successively obtained licenses in the Middle East, and our team and office have already been established,” Chen Er shared. Jessica described that EX.IO is at the “starting point of embarking from the CAI building and moving towards a global layout.” Chen Er stated that in the future, EX.IO will focus on three major strategies as its core development axis. Global Compliance Layout: Continuously applying for and obtaining regulatory licenses in more regions, launching investment products that comply with local regulations. Deepening the RWA ecosystem: Connecting the complete chain from issuance to trading, promoting the digital transformation of traditional securities assets. Building an intelligent financial ecosystem: Collaborating with AI, DeFi, and intelligent agent platforms to explore innovative scenarios within a compliance framework. “We hope that EX.IO is not just an exchange, but a global Compliance Web3 ecosystem,” she said. “Let Hong Kong's compliance standards become the benchmark of trust in the world.” Hong Kong Spirit: Compliance, Innovation, and Global Trust The compliance features of EX.IO are not only its market passport but also the core value of its brand. “Our products and services have undergone rigorous reviews by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, pursuing the most stringent standards in terms of safety, risk control, and operational experience.” Chen Er smiled and said, “You could say it's been scrutinized to the bone.” She believes that this strict regulatory environment is, in fact, a competitive advantage. “Hong Kong is one of the places with the strictest Compliance in the world, which allows institutions and investors to feel truly at ease.” EX.IO's positioning is to start from Hong Kong, the most strictly regulated market in the world, and export compliance and trust globally. “We hope EX.IO will become a business card for Hong Kong's Web3 industry to the world, representing the professionalism and trust of this city.” Conclusion: Sailing towards the global Compliance fleet. From the headquarters in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, to the global ecological office in Tin Hau, EX.IO is setting sail on its global journey with Compliance as the sail and innovation as the rudder, from its roots in Hong Kong to its layout in the Middle East. In this new cycle of Web3, compliance is no longer a constraint but a bridge connecting the world; Hong Kong is not only the highest regulatory peak globally but also the starting point for connecting global capital and innovation. “We hope this big ship can set sail from Hong Kong, allowing more people to see the power of Compliance Web3,” Chen Er said. As the course of EX.IO becomes clearer, a globalization transformation initiated from the CAI building is accelerating.