Teaching Web3 for 7 years: Educator Louis aims to support Hongkongers to embrace the future of Web3
Louis Li, Renowned educator of Blockchain and Crypto Currencies
"GM, GM, I’m Louis, the host of WeeklyDose." Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Louis Lee hosts a crypto-focused radio show on Twitter Space, where he shares the latest developments and interesting stories from the Web3 market over the past week. He has been doing this consistently for two years now. However, Louis’s journey in the crypto space started much earlier, around 2018. Unlike an ordinary investors, Louis has not only invested in cryptocurrencies but also taken on the role of an educator, a position he has held for the past seven years.
With a background in computer science, Louis initially worked as an IT professional before entering the Web3 space. He was drawn in by the technical potential of Ethereum, which sparked his curiosity and led him into the world of blockchain. Reflecting on his early days, he recalls, “I created my first course, a 30-hour programme, and started teaching after that. It was an introduction to blockchain course, covering topics like Bitcoin, Ethereum, public and private keys, and even some private blockchain concepts. Each session lasted three hours a week.”
His students have come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from blue-collar to senior figures in the finance industry and academic researchers. Over the years, Louis estimates he has taught around 5,000 students. His goal as an educator is simple: no matter the student’s background, he hopes they leave the course with a solid foundation in Web3, enabling them to continue their journey of learning and exploration independently.
As an educator, Louis has a keen sense of the shifts in Hong Kong’s Web3 landscape, particularly in relation to government policies. He recalls how, in 2022, the Hong Kong government began actively promoting Web3 development. This included supporting a range of summits and networking events, with government officials even making appearances. He jokes, “In the past, crypto trading was seen as something shady— everyone operated underground, kept it quiet, and avoided public discussions. Even in real life gatherings were held discreetly.”
Louis acknowledges that this policy shift has indeed brought more public attention to Web3 in Hong Kong. However, it has also come with stricter regulations, which have significantly limited the freedom within the crypto community. Currently, retail investors in Hong Kong are only allowed to trade through one government-licensed exchange, and as of mid-February 2025, only four public blockchains—Bitcoin, Ethereum, ApeX, and Chainlink—are allowed for retail. Residents of Hong Kong can only trade on virtual asset platforms officially licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
“It's like a public park where you used to be free to come and go as you pleased. Now, there’s a gate, and that gate is tiny—it’s far from ideal,” Louis remarks, humorously describing early crypto adopters as “Web3 refugees” under these new rules.
He contrasts the situation in Hong Kong with other countries, citing examples like the United States, where the Trump administration once proposed creating a Bitcoin strategic reserve, and Japan, which recognised Bitcoin as legal tender as early as 2017 and began taxing crypto-related income to boost government revenue. Louis describes these moves as bold steps toward embracing innovation, whereas Hong Kong, in his view, is still approaching the industry with a conservative mindset.
Despite these challenges, Louis sees significant potential in Hong Kong. He notes that Web3 is inherently borderless, and Hong Kong, as a city where East meets West, is uniquely positioned to thrive. With its bilingual and trilingual population and its proximity to mainland China, Hong Kong has the potential to become a hub for international Web3 projects.
Louis hopes the government will recognise these strengths and provide the necessary support and freedom to allow the industry to flourish. “My vision is to cultivate a group of professionals in this field, to create a sustainable industry that can make Hong Kong a hub for Web3. I want this industry to have a real presence in Hong Kong,” he says.
