2-4-2025 – Hong Kong’s irreverent online hub 9GAG has snapped up the publicly listed Howkingtech International, with grand designs to rechristen it MemeStrategy. This audacious move, detailed in filings with the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, carries a potential cash price tag of HK$79,649,599—roughly $10.2 million—depending on whether all share options are cashed in before the deal seals shut. It’s a calculated gamble to catapult the meme-sharing platform into the swirling worlds of cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and the decentralised promise of Web3.
Ray Chan, the visionary co-founder of 9GAG, has stepped into the driver’s seat at Howkingtech, steering it towards uncharted territory. He sees this as a golden moment to harness the clarity and credibility of a public company, amplifying trust in the nebulous Web3 landscape while delivering lasting rewards for shareholders. “We’re building a bridge between the cutting-edge economy and the old guard of finance,” Chan proclaimed, underscoring his ambition to cement Hong Kong’s status as a global powerhouse for virtual assets. The rebrand to MemeStrategy—a nod to the playbook of Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor—signals intent to weave digital currencies like Bitcoin and other promising tokens into its financial fabric, chasing sustained growth.
Whispers of a broader shift are also stirring the air. Chao Deng, the sharp-eyed CEO of HashKey Capital—a Hong Kong-based titan in crypto asset management—has suggested that China might be softening its once-ironclad resistance to cryptocurrencies. If true, this could ripple through the region, adding wind to MemeStrategy’s sails. For now, the acquisition positions 9GAG as a trailblazer, blending its knack for viral culture with a serious stab at reshaping investment horizons. What began as a platform for chuckles and memes is now poised to straddle the line between playful innovation and high-stakes financial strategy, all while keeping Hong Kong firmly in the spotlight.