OCTOBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9NEWSROOMHONG KONG APPROVES FIRST SOLANA ETF BY CHINAAMCBluwhale, a leading decentralized AI network for financial services, has raised $10 million in Series A funding, led by UOB Venture Management with participation from SBI Holdings, PAID Network, Sublime Ventures, High Cosmos Capital, and other prominent blockchain investors.The Singapore-based company plans to use the funds to accelerate AI integration into digital finance and support institutional digitization initiatives across global markets.Bluwhale operates a decentralized AI network that deploys AI agents on blockchain systems to perform financial services and execute transactions seamlessly across both on-chain and off-chain environments. Currently, Bluwhale serves over 3.6 million users globally and manages hundreds of AI agents that provide automated financial operations, compliance support, and digital asset management.Key Highlights· Bluwhale raises $10M Series A led by UOB Venture Management and SBI Holdings· Expanding AI-powered decentralized finance and institutional digitization· Launches $BLUAI token to power its global AI blockchain ecosystemThe company's mission is to make AI-driven decentralized finance (DeFi) more accessible, transparent, and efficient for institutional and retail participants alike.A major milestone for Bluwhale came with the launch of its native token, $BLUAI, on October 21, 2025, as part of its token generation event (TGE). The token underpins Bluwhale's AI ecosystem, powering governance, transaction execution, and agent rewards.With strong backing from financial and blockchain investors, Bluwhale is positioned to become a key player at the intersection of AI and decentralized finance, driving innovation in institutional-grade AI adoption within the blockchain economy. Hong Kong has approved its first Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF), launched by China Asset Management (Hong Kong), marking a significant step in expanding the city's digital asset investment landscape.The ChinaAMC Solana ETF received regulatory clearance last week and began accepting subscriptions on October 22, 2025, with trading set to start on October 27, 2025.The fund directly holds Solana's SOL token, the sixth-largest cryptocurrency with a market capitalization exceeding $100 billion, and aims to replicate its price performance before fees and expenses. The ETF trades in three currencies -- HKD, RMB, and USD -- offering flexible access for both retail and institutional investors.Key Highlights· Hong Kong approves first Solana ETF launched by ChinaAMC (HK)· ETF trades in HKD, RMB, and USD, opening to global retail investors· Strengthens Hong Kong's lead in Asia's regulated crypto ETF marketHowever, the ETF is not yet included in Southbound Stock Connect, meaning mainland Chinese investors cannot trade it through domestic brokers for now. Inclusion could take several months pending ChinaAMC's six-month eligibility review cycle for Northbound and Southbound access.With RMB 678 billion in ETF assets under management, ChinaAMC already operates Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in Hong Kong, positioning it to quickly add Solana to its crypto portfolio. Analysts note that fintech brokers offering currency-hedged or auto-FX trading interfaces could attract users seeking cross-border and arbitrage opportunities across the HKD, RMB, and USD counters.The approval cements Hong Kong's role as a regional leader in regulated crypto ETFs, ahead of similar launches in the United States. BLUWHALE SECURES $10M TO POWER AI-DRIVEN FINANCE
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