Article author: 0x9999in1
Article source: ME
The Web3 strategies and deployments of listed companies have become a hot topic of increasing public interest. Against this backdrop, ME has officially launched its "Crypto Stock Executive Interviews" series . We will speak with leaders of companies that are pioneering digital transformation. Through the perspective of decision-makers, we will delve into their strategic deployments, business innovations, and financial innovations, providing forward-looking insights for industry participants.
This episode features Li Minghong, Chief Investment Officer of MemeStrategy (2440.HK). Leveraging his extensive experience in traditional finance and keen insights into the cutting-edge of Web3, he shares how MemeStrategy bridges the old and new economies, cultivates deep investment horizons, and explores the potential of crypto assets. This interview, drawing on the power of culture, delve into company strategy and personal experiences, charting the course for listed companies exploring new technologies and the new economy in the Web3 era.
MEME culture drives the development of the Web3 ecosystem
The word "MEME" in MemeStrategy immediately strikes a chord. Li Minghong elaborated on the unique role and value of MEME culture in the Web3 ecosystem. He shared, "MEME culture is a phenomenon that spreads online, centered around imitation, secondary creation, and rapid dissemination. Whether images, videos, or text, the content is often humorous and lighthearted, evoking a smile. Based on familiar movies or pop music, it spreads through platforms like X, Discord, Instagram, and YouTube, resonating and constantly evolving. In the Web3 landscape, MEME culture thrives within blockchain technology. From celebrities like Trump to anime artists and iconic characters, MEME tokens have been issued. Through public chains like Ethereum, MEME-related tokens are proliferating. While some dismiss these tokens as airdrops lacking value, we believe their value lies in the cultural core behind them. This culture, spread through young people and open communities, has become a crucial element in community building. The Web3 ecosystem fosters broad participation through MEME culture, allowing anyone to join and create mutually beneficial partnerships that generate significant economic benefits."
Breaking through tradition: bridging the new economy and the old economy
When discussing the topic of "MemeStrategy strives to become a trusted bridge connecting the old and new economies," Li Minghong explained how to accurately understand the new and old economies. He explained, "The difference between the old and new economies stems from different generations' lifestyles. I was born in the 1980s, and the younger generation grew up in the digital economy, using mobile apps for shopping and taxis, relying on digital channels for resources. This is the new economy. The old economy, on the other hand, is more traditional, requiring, for example, in-person bank accounts and filling out forms. This represents the lifestyle of those born in the 1970s or 1980s. We are currently at a turning point in the economic cycle, and we need to break away from tradition. The Web3 era introduces artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies, and our role is to build a bridge between Web2 and Web3. Through the regulatory compliance framework of a listed company, anyone can participate in our ecosystem by purchasing shares, thereby driving the development of the new economy."
The three major investment tracks perfectly match the company's DNA
MemeStrategy's official website states that it focuses on investing in three key sectors: artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and culture. Li Minghong also provided a detailed explanation: "Our goal in establishing a listed company is to enhance market trust in Web3. Breakthroughs in blockchain and AI technologies have enabled Hong Kong to transform from a traditional financial center to a virtual asset center. In the future, Hong Kong will rely more heavily on blockchain systems and collaborate with traditional finance, particularly in the tokenization of real assets. This presents an opportunity to integrate new and old systems. Culture is a powerful driving force, driving breakthroughs and stimulating innovation across various industries. Blockchain technology has demonstrated its economic benefits over the past decade. For example, exchanges achieve settlement through on-chain transactions, similar to stock exchanges. Issuing tokens is similar to an IPO, assets can be tokenized through NFTs, and payment gateways are beginning to support stablecoin settlement. Artificial intelligence improves efficiency at the data level and accelerates business development. Our team, having established a global social platform in 2007 with 200 million users and 3 billion monthly traffic, deeply understands the cultural preferences of the younger generation and caters to their emotional pursuit of cultural brands. Therefore, we invest in the cultural industry, helping cultural companies upgrade and expand internationally while integrating into Web3." Technology. It can be said that these three tracks are a perfect fit with the company's DNA."
Extremely optimistic about Solana's applications and ecosystem
While many US and Hong Kong-listed companies are rushing to stockpile BTC and ETH, MemeStrategy, in a remarkable move, announced its purchase of 2,440 SOL tokens. Li Minghong shared the company's strategic considerations for purchasing SOL: "We chose SOL over BTC and ETH because Solana has made significant breakthroughs in recent years. Solana's applications span traditional finance and emerging sectors. For example, Blackstone Group is using the Solana chain to support its $1.7 billion BUIDL fund, and platforms like PayPal and Robinhood have connected to the Solana public chain to conduct business, supporting trading and settlement. Furthermore, the MEME culture on the Solana chain is extremely vibrant, which aligns with our cultural strategy and demonstrates broad application scenarios and long-term potential."
Faced with the difficult issue of balancing traditional investors with the volatility of Web3 investments, he frankly stated, "This is a topic we are constantly exploring. As a pioneer in new finance, we are strengthening market confidence through the compliance framework of listed companies. The retail-dominated blockchain market is already saturated, and in the future, we need to attract institutional investors and government participation. We are promoting the development of Web3 through compliant channels, while also exploring low-risk, high-return decentralized finance projects to create value for investors."
Traditional finance veterans return to Web3
When discussing his personal career, Li Minghong displayed the positive attitude of a traditional finance veteran returning to Web3. He reflected on his transition: "I have 13 years of experience in traditional finance, assisting state-owned enterprises with IPOs in Hong Kong and the US, and participating in mergers and acquisitions and wealth management. Initially, I was skeptical of Bitcoin, believing it to be unreliable. However, the opportunities Bitcoin presented in the financial sector opened my eyes to its potential. I leveraged my experience in traditional finance to implement compliance systems to ensure the platform's legal global operations. Since 2018, I have devoted myself to the crypto space and later started a business exploring decentralized finance. Compliance experience in traditional finance is crucial for Web3, especially with the increasing number of institutional investors and stricter regulation. Compliance is the key to success."
With the release of the "Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Statement 2.0" and the "Stablecoin Ordinance," policy directions and regulatory regulations have become clearer. Li Minghong expressed optimism about Hong Kong's digital asset policies. He stated, "As a global financial center, Hong Kong's regulatory framework is conservative but comprehensive. US digital asset reserve companies are already mature, and the Asia-Pacific region is catching up. Hong Kong's compliance environment provides opportunities for the development of digital assets, and will provide even more comprehensive support for virtual asset reserves and other issues in the future."
Summarize
In short, Li Minghong, a veteran of traditional finance, with his unique vision and unwavering determination, firmly believes that MemeStrategy will forge ahead at the intersection of culture and technology. From the pulse of MEME culture to innovations in AI and blockchain, to a precise investment in the Solana ecosystem, MemeStrategy has demonstrated through action the integration of the old and new economies. In Hong Kong, a financial hotbed, MemeStrategy, with its people-centric approach, culture as its foundation, and technology as its sail, is charting the boundless possibilities of the new economic era.