The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong

What The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong does

The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong is a community-driven, volunteer-led non-profit organization established in 2014, originating from a Bitcoin discussion group that formed in Hong Kong in summer 2012. The association operates as Hong Kong's longest-running Bitcoin community organization, serving individual Bitcoin users, merchants interested in accepting Bitcoin payments, and Bitcoin/blockchain industry professionals through monthly in-person meetups across Central, Causeway Bay, and Kowloon, plus online meetups and a Telegram-based Bitcoin helpdesk.

Its core offerings are a suite of open-source, self-hosted tools built on standard Bitcoin infrastructure, including BTCPay Server for merchant payment processing, a Bitcoin block explorer, a multi-currency BTC converter (HKD/USD/EUR/CNY/Sats), a Stack Sats dollar-cost-averaging calculator, and a Lightning Network donation system. The association has also developed culturally localized products such as Bitcoin Laisee (LNURL-withdrawal QR-code digital red envelopes) and sells Bitcoin-themed HK Tram pins via its own BTCPay storefront. Underlying technology is exclusively open-source Bitcoin and Lightning Network tooling with no proprietary AI/ML components.

The business model is donation-and-merchandise based: membership is free, all educational resources and tools are provided at no charge, and revenue consists of voluntary Bitcoin and Lightning donations plus minimal merchandise sales. The association is governed by three directors (Arthur Lai, Sam Lee, Yijia Su) and led by President Leonhard Weese, with no institutional investment, no funding rounds, and no paid headcount beyond a small core team.

Name

The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong

Legal name

The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong

Website

https://bitcoin.org.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong is a community non-profit founded in 2014 that promotes Bitcoin adoption in Hong Kong through free meetups, open-source tools (BTCPay Server, block explorer, BTC converter, Lightning donations), and regulatory advocacy, serving 6,800+ members and individual users, merchants, and industry professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cryptocurrency Community Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

POS, QR & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure (Crypto) (FSADAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual Prepaid & Single-Use / Tokenized Cards (FSAMANAJ)

Keywords

• Bitcoin community association
• Open-source Bitcoin tools
• Cryptocurrency education
• Lightning Network payments
• Bitcoin meetups

Headquarters

HQ city

Wan Chai

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Voluntary donations accepted via on-chain Bitcoin and Lightning Network. Lightning address: [email protected]. On-chain address: 1BAHK1Esvn6L1icZREB8SFqTy7bBSRDwaS
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Bitcoin-themed merchandise (e.g., HK Tram bitcoin-themed pins) through BTCPay Server storefront

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong is a community-led non-profit that promotes Bitcoin adoption in Hong Kong through free educational meetups, bilingual (English/Cantonese/Mandarin) blog content, and a suite of self-hosted open-source Bitcoin tools. It also funds itself with voluntary Bitcoin/Lightning donations and small-scale Bitcoin-themed merchandise such as HK Tram pins.

Product overview

The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong offers a suite of open-source Bitcoin tools and services for the Hong Kong community. The core product portfolio includes: BTCPay Server (self-hosted payment processor), Block Explorer (independent blockchain explorer), BTC Converter (multi-currency calculator), Stack Sats DCA (dollar-cost averaging calculator), Lightning Donation System (LNURL-based donations), Bitcoin Laisee (LNURL-withdrawal QR code gift cards for special occasions), and HK Tram Bitcoin Pins (merchandise). These tools are built primarily on open-source Bitcoin infrastructure including Lightning Network, LNURL, and BTCPay Server technology. The association also provides educational resources and hosts regular community meetups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bitcoin Community Membership Free membership in Hong Kong's longest-running Bitcoin community association, providing access to monthly meetups, the Telegram Bitcoin Helpdesk, P2P trade chat on Keybase, bilingual educational content, and the association's open-source tools; intended for individual Bitcoin users in Hong Kong.
• Monthly Bitcoin Meetups Recurring free (and occasionally nominally priced) in-person Bitcoin meetups across Hong Kong (IFC Rooftop Garden in Central, Innside Out in Causeway Bay, various Kowloon venues) plus online meetups on Jitsi Meet; intended for individual community members and industry professionals.
• BTCPay Server (Self-Hosted Bitcoin Payment Processor) Self-hosted Bitcoin and Lightning payment processor available to Hong Kong merchants and the association itself, enabling merchants to accept Bitcoin payments without third-party custody or transaction fees; intended for Hong Kong merchants wanting to accept Bitcoin.
• Bitcoin Block Explorer Independent Bitcoin blockchain explorer operated by the association for viewing Bitcoin transactions and blocks on the network; intended for individual community members and developers.
• BTC Converter (Bitcoin Price Index) Live Bitcoin price conversion tool supporting HKD, USD, EUR, CNY, and Satoshis (Sats); intended for Hong Kong Bitcoin users and merchants needing multi-currency Bitcoin pricing.
• Stack Sats DCA Calculator Dollar-cost-averaging calculator for Bitcoin with purchase history tracked back to 2010; intended for individual Bitcoin users running DCA strategies.
• Bitcoin Laisee (LNURLw Red Envelope) Bitcoin-themed digital red envelope that uses LNURL-withdrawal QR codes to gift Lightning Network Bitcoin to other users for Lunar New Year and other special occasions; intended for Hong Kong community members who gift Bitcoin socially.
• Lightning Donation System Lightning Network-based donation system accepting satoshis via static LNURL invoices and the association's Lightning address ([email protected]), with HKD/USD/CNY/BTC currency options; intended for community members and supporters funding the association.
• HK Tram Bitcoin-Themed Pins (Merchandise) Bitcoin-themed collectible pins featuring a Hong Kong tram design, sold in HKD through the association's self-hosted BTCPay Server storefront; intended for community members and Bitcoin supporters in Hong Kong.
• Bitcoin Helpdesk (Telegram) Community Q&A service running in a Telegram group (t.me/bitcoinhelpdesk) during Hong Kong business hours; intended for individual Hong Kong community members needing Bitcoin support.
• P2P Trade Chat on Keybase Invite-only peer-to-peer trade room on Keybase where association members can buy and sell Bitcoin directly without going through an exchange; intended for individual community members seeking P2P Bitcoin trading.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ community events held since 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BitmainminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 May 2015Bitmain (via Antminer) sponsored 10 Antminer U3 Bitcoin miners to be distributed to 10 teams at Hackcoin, Hong Kong's first blockchain hackathon co-organized with the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong.
• SeedcoinminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 May 2015Seedcoin supported the Hackcoin blockchain hackathon co-organized with the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong.
• ANXminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2014ANX was a sponsor at the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong launch party in June 2014. ANX also hosted the Bitcoin Bash party after the Inside Bitcoin conference and sponsored food and drinks at the launch party.
• DigiPayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2014DigiPay was a sponsor at the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong launch party in June 2014, providing an open bar for the first 100 guests.
• CoinPipminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2014CoinPip sponsored drinks at the launch party, enabling guests to pay with Bitcoin for HK$30 standard drinks.
• Ucan BrokerageminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2014Ucan Brokerage was a sponsor of the launch party, providing snacks and finger food.
• TusparkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTuspark (HK Innovation Hub) co-hosted the Bitcoin Lecture Series with the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong in 2015-2016, providing venues for educational events on Bitcoin 101, regulation, smart contracts, and startup panels. Tuspark provided venue and promotional support.
• GatecoinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGatecoin hosted a Bitcoin Ledger Meetup in collaboration with the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong community.
• Garage SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarage Society served as a recurring venue partner for Bitcoin Association meetups and special events from 2016-2019, hosting Career Days, Lightning Network demo days, hardware wallet workshops, and developer meetups at their WeWork locations in Admiralty and Causeway Bay.
• Genesis BlockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenesis Block (Wan Chai) served as a venue partner for Bitcoin Association meetups and Lightning Hackday events from 2018-2020, and hosted the Lightning Demo Day in 2020.
• Grappa's Cellar (Jardine House)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrappa's Cellar at Jardine House in Central was the primary recurring venue for monthly Bitcoin meetups from 2016-2019. It accepts Bitcoin as payment and was a long-standing venue partner.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blockchain Association: US-based crypto industry advocacy association that engages with regulators, educates policymakers, and represents the blockchain industry. Directly comparable as a membership-driven advocacy organization for the crypto community, though focused on US policy rather than Hong Kong.
• Coin Center: Non-profit crypto policy and advocacy organization focused on Bitcoin and open blockchain networks. Comparable as a non-profit that conducts regulatory research, submits consultation responses, and advocates for retail access to decentralized crypto.
• Chamber of Digital Commerce: US-based trade association for the digital asset industry that advocates for blockchain policy and educates regulators. Comparable as a membership-driven crypto advocacy body producing policy research and formal regulatory engagement.

Regional players

• Hong Kong FinTech Association: Industry association representing Hong Kong's broader fintech ecosystem including payments, regtech, and digital assets. Comparable as a Hong Kong-rooted industry association engaging regulators, but with a much broader fintech mandate beyond Bitcoin-only advocacy.
• Bitcoin Association (Switzerland): Swiss-based non-profit Bitcoin advocacy organization promoting Bitcoin education and adoption in the DACH region. Comparable as a community-led Bitcoin advocacy association with educational focus and meetup culture, though serving a different geography.

Emerging players

• DeFi Education Fund: Non-profit advocacy group focused on decentralized finance policy and education. Comparable as a non-profit that submits policy input to regulators, though its focus is broader DeFi rather than Bitcoin-specific.

Broad incumbents

• Crypto Council for Innovation: Global crypto advocacy alliance representing major industry participants. Comparable as a crypto policy advocacy organization engaging with global regulators, though it operates at a significantly larger institutional scale and broader mandate than the Hong Kong association.

Others

• BTCPay Server Foundation: Open-source foundation stewarding the BTCPay Server self-hosted Bitcoin payment processor that the Hong Kong association uses and re-deploys. Comparable as the underlying infrastructure provider for one of the association's core tools, though it operates globally and is not a direct community peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bitcoinorghk
• GitHubgithub.com/bitcoinhk/bitcoinhk.github.io
• Facebookfacebook.com/bitcoinorghk
• Instagraminstagram.com/bitcoinorghk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong