University of Hong Kong Dialogue: MetaEra CEO Discusses Entrepreneurship and Investment with Industry Veterans

On June 19, 2025, Jessica Yang, the CEO of MetaEra, engaged in an in-depth conversation with an industry veteran at the University of Hong Kong. This individual is a student in the doctoral program at the University of Hong Kong, sharing his motivations for returning to campus for further studies, the strategic layouts of different companies, and insights into the cryptocurrency financial market in Hong Kong.

Systematic Thinking with Twenty Years of Entrepreneurial Experience

In 2024, this veteran applied for a doctoral program at the University of Hong Kong, coinciding with the twentieth year of his entrepreneurial journey. Reflecting on the early days of his startup in 2004, he admits that he has spent the past twenty years focused on entrepreneurship and investment, with little time for systematic thinking. 2024 has become an important milestone, and he hopes to transform two decades of practical experience into a reusable knowledge framework through the doctoral program.

"My goal is to distill the practical experience of entrepreneurship and investment into a methodology, turning it into a structured tool that I and my colleagues can use." He stated that this is not only personal development but also a reflection and sublimation of past experiences. He hopes to outline a replicable knowledge framework from an academic perspective to provide guidance for future entrepreneurship and investment.

Strategic Layout from the Cryptocurrency Field to New Technologies

As a veteran in the cryptocurrency field, his new company demonstrates a more diverse strategic vision. In his conversation with Jessica, he elaborated on the differences in positioning, structure, and business direction among various companies.

A company he co-founded operated as a primary market fund, adopting a traditional 5+2 investment cycle. The pressure for returns from external limited partners limits its ability to support long-term projects. "Some projects may take 8 years, 10 years, or even longer to succeed, and the cycle of traditional funds is hard to fully align with that," he explained.

In contrast, his newly established company resembles a joint family office, with the main funding coming from himself and another core shareholder. This structure grants the company greater flexibility, free from the pressure of short-term returns, allowing it to accompany entrepreneurs with a longer-term perspective. "Our funding is relatively long-term, whether it's three years, five years, or ten years, it doesn't matter." He emphasized that the goal of the new company is to be a "running partner" for entrepreneurs.

In terms of investment direction, the new company's strategy is more diversified. He revealed that the company's investment focus has shifted to AI, with crypto projects only accounting for a small portion of its portfolio. The new company is focused on the AI application layer, particularly projects that can generate cash flow, improve efficiency, or optimize processes.

"We do not invest in computing power or large models, because with our funding size and resources in North America, we do not have enough to support investments in the corresponding tracks." He admitted that the company is more focused on the implementation of AI in real-world scenarios, such as AI security, AI talent recruitment, AI tax and financial tools, etc. These projects aim for "simple efficiency improvement," closely aligned with market demand, with the goal of capturing the best returns during the AI explosion period.

Hong Kong: A Strategic Hub for Crypto Finance

As a seasoned professional in the cryptocurrency industry, he is confident about the layout of the Hong Kong market. He believes that Hong Kong, as a "bridgehead" connecting the mainland and the global market, has unique advantages in terms of geographical location and policy environment. In recent years, Hong Kong has introduced a series of friendly policies, including a stablecoin regulatory framework and talent introduction programs, attracting the attention of global blockchain companies and talents.

"The cryptocurrency-related legislation in Hong Kong surpasses that of the United States in terms of advancement and enforceability," he commented. He pointed out that Hong Kong's stablecoin policy provides a clear compliance path for industry innovation, and combined with its international advantages, it is expected to nurture new business models.

The team he is part of landed in Hong Kong as early as 2022 through a publicly listed company, and currently has an office while actively applying for relevant licenses. Among them, the financial custody business is their core business direction in Hong Kong. He believes that, in conjunction with Hong Kong's stablecoin policy, the custody business is expected to give rise to better business models, injecting new vitality into the crypto financial market.

Conclusion

From twenty years of "working hard on the ground" in entrepreneurship to systematic retraining as a PhD at Hong Kong University, this seasoned professional demonstrates a pursuit of self-iteration. From participating in the founding of early-stage companies to establishing new investment entities, he has expanded his vision from the cryptocurrency field to AI applications, supporting entrepreneurs with a long-term companion perspective. At the same time, as an active participant in the construction of Hong Kong's cryptocurrency market, his insights into local policies and business layout provide important references for the industry. "Continuous learning and embracing change are essential to remain at the forefront in a rapidly evolving industry." This may be the most sincere advice offered by this industry veteran.