The first Web3 summit of the new year opens tomorrow in Hong Kong, with over 1,000 participants focusing on innovative applications and financial infrastructure.

The big move for the Web3 industry in 2026 is here. Tomorrow (January 5th), a global Web3 ecosystem innovation and application summit with over 1000 participants will be held at Hong Kong Digital Harbor. Organized jointly by CoinQ and Mega Matrix Inc., this summit is positioned as the first industry event of the new year, with participants ranging from startups to traditional financial institutions and regulators, offering a panoramic view of the Web3 ecosystem.

Who is participating in this summit

The participants in this summit are quite diverse:

• Web3 startups and technology companies
• Investment and asset management institutions
• Traditional tech and financial institutions
• Hong Kong Blockchain Association
• Compliance trading organizations
• Public chain project teams
• Dozens of Web3 innovative application teams presenting roadshows

This list of participants itself is highly indicative. Covering everything from startups to institutions, from the crypto space to traditional finance, and from project teams to regulatory associations, it nearly encompasses all key roles in the Web3 ecosystem.

Why is Hong Kong hosting such a summit at this time

Strategic positioning

Hong Kong’s role in Web3 is evolving. From being a cautious observer to actively embracing the Web3 ecosystem, this shift reflects a strategic choice. The summit’s theme clearly points to “How Hong Kong can empower the global digital economy,” which is not only about local development but also positioning Hong Kong as a hub for the global Web3 ecosystem.

A key node for innovative application deployment

2026 has just begun, and this summit is discussing “how to implement more innovative applications,” reflecting a consensus in the industry: a shift from hype to practical application. The summit aims to build the “future infrastructure of Hong Kong’s finance and digital economy,” indicating that industry participants are already thinking about long-term infrastructure development, not just short-term project hype.

Personal observations

The scale of this summit and the level of participants indicate that Web3 is moving from the fringes to the mainstream. A conference that can attract traditional financial institutions, regulatory associations, and Web3 project teams simultaneously was unimaginable a few years ago. This summit may send important signals regarding Hong Kong’s Web3 policy direction, industry self-regulation, and application exploration, which warrants close attention.

Summary

The hosting of this first Web3 summit of the new year marks a new starting point for the industry in 2026. In terms of scale, over 1000 participants demonstrate the maturity of the Web3 ecosystem; in terms of participants, the integration of traditional finance and Web3 has become the norm; and in terms of themes, the shift from hype to practical application is accelerating. As a global financial center, Hong Kong’s strategic layout and policy guidance in the Web3 field could set an example for the entire industry. This summit is worth close industry attention.