Introduction to the New Crypto Era

The co-founder of Animoca Brands, Yat Siu, recently declared the end of the “Trump moment” for the crypto market. The era where political support under U.S. President Donald Trump was seen as a major driver for cryptocurrencies has concluded. Instead, attention is now shifting towards infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and real-world applications—a sentiment echoed by many in the industry.

The Shift from Political to Structural Factors

In recent years, much of the crypto market’s momentum stemmed from anticipated regulatory leniency during Trump’s administration. However, these hopes were not realized. As a result, price movements have increasingly divorced themselves from political narratives and returned to fundamental factors. This transition signifies a pivotal moment for the industry where investors are beginning to differentiate between short-term narratives and long-term structural changes.

The Rise of Institutional Involvement

A key driver behind this shift is the growing involvement of institutional capital. Large-scale investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a reserve asset comparable to gold. This perception underscores Bitcoin’s evolving role in finance while placing pressure on altcoins to demonstrate their economic utility and ability to generate sustainable value.

Convergence with Artificial Intelligence

Concurrently, there is a strengthening convergence between cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence (AI). According to Siu, blockchain technology serves as foundational infrastructure for autonomous digital systems that require trustworthiness, irreversibility of operations, and financial sovereignty.

Hong Kong’s Strategic Position

Yat Siu also highlights Hong Kong’s advantageous position at the intersection of global finance, regulation, and Asia’s technological ecosystems. The return of major industry events to this region signals its growing importance in this new phase of crypto development.
As cryptocurrencies gradually integrate into mainstream financial systems—similar to how e-commerce once simply became commerce—they are poised to become an indispensable part of both financial and digital economies.