Fu Peng, former chief economist of Northeast Securities, has officially joined Hong Kong-listed Sinohope Group (1611.HK) as chief economist. The move signals a further convergence of traditional finance talent with the compliant digital asset sector, and is expected to strengthen Sinohope's macro research capabilities for institutional clients.
From Traditional Brokerage to Digital Finance
Fu Peng served as chief economist at the Northeast Securities Research Institute from 2020 until his departure on April 30, 2025. During his tenure, he was widely recognized for macro analysis, policy interpretation, and asset allocation strategies. At Sinohope, Fu will be responsible for macroeconomic research and providing investment strategy analysis for institutional clients. It remains unclear whether he will be based in Hong Kong.
Sinohope: A Compliant Digital Financial Platform in Hong Kong
Sinohope Group is a Hong Kong-based compliant digital financial services group, formerly known as Huobi Technology. The company leverages its licensed status to offer virtual asset trading, custody, and asset management services to institutions and professional investors. As Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission advances its regulatory framework for virtual assets, Sinohope has carved out a leading position among compliant players. Adding a chief economist reflects the company's push to enhance research capabilities to meet the growing demand from institutional clients for sound macro analysis and risk management.
Industry Impact: Accelerated Compliance and Institutionalization
Fu Peng's move is part of a broader trend where economists and analysts from traditional brokerages, funds, and research institutes are transitioning to digital finance. Two key drivers are at play: first, the push for compliance in virtual assets globally—especially in Hong Kong—has made specialized macro and strategy research teams essential for digital platforms; second, the surge in institutional investor participation demands more sophisticated advisory services. Fu's appointment helps Sinohope build a more authoritative research brand on the institutional side, while also serving as another milestone in the deepening integration between digital finance and traditional financial systems.
As of press time, Sinohope's stock (1611.HK) showed no significant price movement, with the market watching for further developments in the company's research and product strategies.