What to know:
- Li Lin integrates Avenir into Bitfire to expand regulated Bitcoin asset management.
- Bitfire targets over 10,000 BTC via the Alpha strategy using derivatives and IBIT.
- Hong Kong attracts firms as the China ban persists, boosting the Bitcoin asset management shift.
A major shift in Bitcoin asset management is emerging in Asia as Li Lin expands operations through Hong Kong. The move integrates Avenir Group infrastructure into Bitfire Group, marking a structured push toward regulated and institutional bitcoin investment strategies.
Li Lin, founder of Huobi, is repositioning his crypto strategy. He is integrating trading systems from his family office, Avenir Group, into Bitfire Group. Lin is the largest shareholder in Bitfire. Reuters reported that Bitfire will acquire Avenir’s investment team and systems for $1.6 million.
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Bitcoin Asset Management Shift Toward Institutional Scale
This deal signals a step toward formal Bitcoin asset management within a regulated framework. It is specialized in creating institutional-level infrastructure. The integration enables Bitfire to scale the operations in a short time. It also consolidates its presence in the developing crypto market in Hong Kong.
The company will introduce Bitcoin-based investment plans. These products will be aimed at institutional and crypto-native investors. Bitfire CEO Livio Weng stated that the aim of the strategy is to get more than 10,000 BTC in a year with the strategy called Alpha BTC. The value is approximately close to $760 million at current prices.
The plan aims at making Bitcoin holders yield. It will employ derivatives trading, primarily options. The framework will be based on direct Bitcoin holdings or iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as the underlying asset. This model allows returns without selling core holdings.
Weng stated that the demand for such products is high in Hong Kong. A large number of companies have Bitcoin on their balance sheets. However, they lack tools to generate yield. According to Bitfire, at least 40 listed companies have this disparity in Bitcoin asset management abilities.
Regulatory Shift Drives Hong Kong Crypto Expansion
Hong Kong is still striving to establish itself as the virtual hub of assets. The area provides a more favorable regulatory environment to crypto activities. A ban on crypto trading has been enforced in mainland China since 2021. This comparison has compelled companies to grow in Hong Kong.
This move comes after Li Lin left Huobi in 2022. He sold the majority share to Justin Sun for approximately $1 billion. The sale was done under tightening regulatory conditions in China. It heralded a change towards offshore expansion strategies.
Avenir Group has already established a presence in digital assets. It has recorded 18.3 million shares of IBIT by the end of 2025. The position was valued near $908 million. This turned it into one of the biggest Bitcoin exchange-traded product investors in Asia.
This expertise is instantly available to Bitfire due to the integration. It enhances its asset management platform in Bitcoin. The relocation indicates a greater change in Asia. Companies are exiting retail trading and engaging in institution-oriented crypto services.
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