Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, announced that the city's financial accounts are expected to return to surplus sooner than anticipated, driven by increased stamp duty revenue from strong financial market performance. Addressing a proposal for a gold-linked stablecoin, Chan stated that Hong Kong will gradually develop stablecoins, considering linking them to gold or other assets after initial steps are taken, emphasizing the need for caution. Chan also highlighted that virtual currencies are a part of financial innovation that Hong Kong should embrace. However, he stressed the importance of integrating them into a proper regulatory framework to mitigate risks and enhance investor education.