From El Salvador to the Global Financial Hub of Hong Kong: How Bitcoin Connects Businesses and People
Introduction
Gaëlle Wizenberg is an entrepreneur leading the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong, the oldest Bitcoin association in the world. She shares that before discovering Bitcoin, she spent $50,000 on bank transfer fees while running her company, and once had to wait a week to send money from Hong Kong to the US. She learned about Bitcoin while searching for a solution to this problem. Later, while living in El Salvador, She saw Bitcoin being used for everyday activities like grocery shopping and getting haircuts. That experience led to her initiative to increase the number of merchants accepting Bitcoin payments in Hong Kong.
'HK Bitcoin City,' the initiative Gaëlle is driving, is a Bitcoin circular economy that teaches merchants how to accept Bitcoin payments and helps people find places to spend their Bitcoin. Through this effort, Gaëlle Wizenberg has grown the number of Bitcoin-accepting stores in Hong Kong from 4 to 27 since May 2026.
Her activities extend beyond storefronts. Currently, Gaëlle manages the community as a board member of the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong and is also contributing to the hosting of Bitcoin Asia.
At this meetup, you can meet Gaëlle in person to hear what inspired her to start this work in Hong Kong, learn how she successfully increased merchant participation, and hear about her experiences contributing to Bitcoin Asia.
Speaker Profile
Gaëlle Wizenberg
- Board Member, Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong
- Founder & CEO, The Whale Lounge HK (Bitcoin Education & Community Brand)
- Supporting Bitcoin payment adoption for Hong Kong merchants through the HK Bitcoin City project
Who Should Attend
- Those who want to understand the current landscape of Bitcoin being used as 'real money' beyond just an investment asset.
- Those curious about the vivid stories of the Bitcoin ecosystem unfolding in Hong Kong, such as the deployment of payment terminals and educational seminars.
- Those who want a glimpse into the future vision of how utilizing Bitcoin in the real economy will transform businesses and cities.
Event Details
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM
- Location: BitcoinCenterSeoul
- Entry Fee: Free