Finance

Hong Kong Surpasses Singapore in Financial Dominance Across Asia

Hong Kong has maintained its position as Asia's top financial hub and ranked third globally, widening its lead over regional competitor Singapore while narrowing the gap with global leader New York, according to the latest Global Financial Centres Index.

Hong Kong's overall score rose by 11 points, while Singapore's score increased by three points, keeping it in fourth place worldwide. London, ranked second, saw an improvement of 12 points. The report highlighted that nearly all financial centres saw progress, with Seoul rising from 11th to join the top 10.

The report, published by think tanks Z/Yen Group in London and the China Development Institute in Shenzhen, evaluated 119 financial centres based on 140 factors, plus feedback from 4,946 respondents through a questionnaire.

"The report acknowledges Hong Kong's leading status and its strengths as an international financial centre," the government said in a statement. It cited support from the mainland, Hong Kong's stock market reforms, stronger connectivity with mainland China, and growth in the asset and wealth management sectors as key factors behind its success.

TECH

How Baby Tech is Evolving: A Parent's Top Picks for Success

Last spring, as my wife and I prepared to welcome our first child, we started compiling a list of baby gear — a rite of passage for new parents. What set our list apart, or so I thought, was that it would feature only the best products, carefully chosen by me, a tech columnist with 20 years of experience testing gadgets.

However, after our baby arrived that summer, I quickly realized I was mistaken.

It turns out there’s no such thing as universally "best" baby gear, because what worked for other parents often didn’t work for us. Despite selecting a top-rated stroller, its wheels were ill-suited for the pothole-filled streets of our neighborhood. The highly recommended electronic bottle warmer was too slow for our hungry newborn. And the Snoo, the $1,700 robotic bassinet with a devoted following, failed to soothe our little one to sleep.

Now that we’ve moved past the sleepless nights of the newborn stage, my wife and I are blessed with a well-rested and happy child. Part of this success came from shifting our approach to baby gear, focusing on our unique challenges as new parents and seeking out solutions tailored to us.

Though my experiences with baby tech may not reflect every parent's journey, the lessons I learned — from internet-controlled night lights to nanny cams — offer insights that should resonate with all.

CRYPTO

Washington's Newest Trend: The Rise of Crypto Ba

rs

In a clear sign of shifting vibes in Washington, a DC bar popular with Republican staffers has announced it will be closing — and will reportedly be replaced by a new bar that only accepts cryptocurrency as payment.

Local news outlet PoPville first reported on Thursday that Pubkey, a bar based in Greenwich Village that markets itself as a "vibrant bitcoin community," has taken over the lease of Hill Country, a beloved barbecue restaurant and music venue. Hill Country recently revealed that it would be closing after 14 years in Penn Quarter.

This is part of a growing trend of crypto-focused social spots opening across the U.S. in recent years. Pubkey, which opened in 2022 near New York University’s Manhattan campus, offers a laid-back vibe: a basement dive bar-cum-podcast studio with a menu crafted by an Eleven Madison Park alum, where patrons can enjoy pub fare — but only if they pay with cryptocurrency. (When Eater visited in 2022, they noted "a variety of regional-style hot dogs" and a stuffed raccoon next to a TV playing A Christmas Story.) What sets Pubkey apart, however, is its connection to the White House: during the 2024 campaign, Donald Trump visited the bar and used $998.70 worth of bitcoin to buy smash burgers for everyone, becoming the first president to make a bitcoin transaction — a symbolic nod to the crypto community.