Crypto executives discuss technological risks and regulatory challenges for Bitcoin at Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE conference in Hong Kong

This February, Hong Kong hosted the LONGITUDE conference, a gathering of top minds from the crypto world.

Co-hosted by crypto exchange OneBullEx, the event brought together innovators, investors, and regulators to discuss the future of blockchain, Bitcoin, and digital assets.

Amid volatile markets and rapid technological change, executives stressed the importance of addressing key risks while waiting for clearer U.S. regulations.

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Justin Sun Highlights the Intersection of Blockchain and AI

The conference opened with a fireside chat featuring Tron founder Justin Sun, who focused on preparing the crypto industry for the coming era of artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Sun emphasized the need to make blockchain systems compatible with AGI, envisioning a future where these technologies work hand in hand.

“We need to create a very easy standard for AGI to use blockchain,” Sun explained, showing optimism for the industry’s long-term potential.

His remarks set the tone for deeper discussions on technology, regulation, and infrastructure.

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The Quantum Computing Threat Sparks Debate

A central topic at the conference was the looming threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin.

Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, warned that until Bitcoin becomes quantum-resistant, its value should be “discounted” to account for potential risks.

He noted that fear of quantum computing contributed to Bitcoin ending 2025 lower than it began, despite favorable market conditions.

Other panelists offered a mix of caution and optimism.

Matthew Roszak, chairman of Bloq and co-founder of Hemi, suggested that solutions are already underway: “It’s a two-step process.

We’re going to upgrade and chill. That’s it.” Meanwhile, Akshat Vaidya, managing partner at Maelstrom, called quantum computing an “existential threat” but said the industry will mount a “coordinated, proportionate response.”

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U.S. CLARITY Act Could Provide Regulatory Certainty

Regulatory clarity in the United States was another hot topic.

David Sacks, White House crypto and AI czar, confirmed that the U.S. is closer than ever to passing the CLARITY Act, which aims to define clear rules for crypto operations.

Panelists agreed that the regulatory environment has improved compared with previous years.

Craig Salm, chief legal officer at Grayscale, noted that the once-contentious relationship between the SEC and CFTC is now evolving toward coordination.

Sean McHugh, senior director at Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, highlighted Dubai’s crypto-friendly approach as a motivating factor for his move abroad, reflecting the importance of regulatory clarity for global investment flows.

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Infrastructure Challenges Remain for Trillion-Dollar Flows

Despite optimism about regulatory progress, executives expressed doubts about whether crypto infrastructure is ready to handle massive institutional inflows. A.J. Warner, chief strategy officer at Offchain Labs, suggested that while billion-dollar transactions are manageable, the industry is not yet prepared for trillion-dollar flows.

Joanita Titan of Monad Foundation echoed this, emphasizing the need for scalable networks, resilient systems, and smooth user experiences.

The panel underscored that infrastructure improvements will be critical if digital assets are to achieve mainstream, institutional-grade adoption.

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Industry Optimism Amid Volatility

Even with market uncertainty at the end of 2025, participants conveyed cautious optimism.

Executives highlighted ongoing innovation in security, blockchain protocols, and financial instruments.

Many agreed that combining technological preparedness, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure growth will shape the next phase of the crypto sector.

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What’s Next for the Crypto Industry

The LONGITUDE conference will continue throughout 2026, with events planned in New York, Paris, Dubai, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.

Experts expect future discussions to focus on advancing blockchain compatibility with AI, strengthening quantum-resistant protocols, and scaling infrastructure to handle massive institutional investment.

Clearer U.S. regulations under the CLARITY Act could also provide confidence for both domestic and global investors.

For crypto enthusiasts, this year promises to be a critical period of technological adaptation, regulatory alignment, and cautious expansion.

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Summary

• The LONGITUDE conference in Hong Kong brought together crypto executives, investors, and regulators.

• Tron founder Justin Sun emphasized preparing blockchain for artificial general intelligence.

• Quantum computing remains a debated threat to Bitcoin, with industry leaders planning upgrades.

• The U.S. CLARITY Act is expected to provide clearer regulatory guidance for crypto.

• Experts questioned whether current infrastructure can handle trillion-dollar institutional flows.

• Despite market volatility, executives remain optimistic about technological innovation and industry growth.

• LONGITUDE events will continue in 2026 in major global cities, shaping the future of crypto adoption.