Joseph Chee, Executive Chairman of Solana Co., stated at Korea Blockchain Week that China may eventually shift from a total ban on digital assets toward a regulated management model. He noted that despite strict prohibitions, interest from Chinese investors, academics, and developers remains persistent.
Solana Co. is a treasury entity focused on acquiring SOL tokens and operates independently from the Solana Foundation. Chee’s perspective reflects the company’s interest in potential future demand within the Chinese market, though he emphasized that any regulatory changes will be a slow process.
China implemented bans on initial coin offerings and fundraising in 2017, followed by restrictions on crypto transactions and mining in 2021 to prevent financial instability. Conversely, Hong Kong introduced a licensing regime in 2023 that allows approved platforms to serve retail investors, serving as a potential policy model.
Solana has been increasing its presence in China through developer-focused events. The Solana Accelerate APAC event in Shenzhen in October 2025 faced police scrutiny due to high attendance, and further events are planned for October 2026. These meetups focus on technical education rather than trading to avoid regulatory conflicts.
