[2020-09-10] Community-Funded Bitcoin Awareness Campaign Unveiled in Hong Kong

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https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/community-funded-bitcoin-awareness-campaign-unveiled-in-hong-kong

Community-Funded Bitcoin Awareness Campaign Unveiled in Hong Kong

Since 2012, the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong has been one of the strongest local communities focused on Bitcoin, boasting a current membership of over 5,000 people. During the month of September, the organization will be using donations to buy advertising space that feature informative statements highlighting “the risks and merits of Bitcoin”.

“The goal is mainly to kickstart a conversation around the merits of Bitcoin, especially in the context of the ongoing economic challenges,” explained Leo Weese, co-founder of the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong. “I think the beauty of it is that it is not a company advertisement, but instead purely focussed on bitcoin itself, as a disruptive technology (#GlobalInternetMoney), a hedge against inflation (#DigitalGold) and as a means for financial inclusion (#BeYourOwnBank).”

During the campaign, there will be five different messages that highlight some aspect of why Bitcoin is an important agent of change. Included in the messages are quotes from Internet pioneer Stewart Brand and FCC Commissioner T.A.M Craven, plus phrases that talk about Bitcoin’s strengths.

At the bottom of each panel includes the message: “Disclaimer: Your Bitcoin are your responsibility.  There will be no bailouts or quantitative easing.  Bitcoin transactions are irreversible.  Not suitable for money laundering.”

When asked if there was any pushback regarding the campaign, Weese said, “There is no pushback yet, the advertising company was a bit worried we might be pushing an investment but they would have been satisfied with adding a disclaimer as well. The ads were put together in just two weeks from inception, fund raising, design and deployment.”

The campaigns will be running across three trams and billboards located in Hong Kong, including prominent spots outside of the Bank of China HK, HSBC and Standard Chartered HK headquarters.  The campaign begins on September 11 and ends October 8.

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[cr1776]

The people of Hong Kong need it to protect themselves from the authoritarian collectivists in China.  The time to protect assets is before things get really bad and the last two decades have been a series of progressively larger intrusions and restrictions on the people of HK. They need to preserve assets in Bitcoin so they can move it over the border if (when) needed.  Assets will allow people to start over in a more free country when needed.

[Lucius]

It’s nice to see Bitcoin being promoted in public, it definitely raises people’s awareness that there is an alternative to the current financial system. What I don't like in this particular case is this hashtag used on trams #magicInternetMoney, which leads many to a completely wrong idea of what Bitcoin represents - and it's certainly not magic money that can solve all social/economic problems.

What I like is that billboards will be placed in front of some of the largest banks in HK - and it would be really interesting to see the reaction of these institutions to this kind of advertising under their windows.

[buwaytress]

Considering current condition of Hong Kong, looks like the campaign will be very effective compared with Bitcoin awareness campaign on another country.

I don't know if Bitcoin Magazine shows all campaign image, but it's too bad there's no image which dedicated to tell you that only you who have control over your money.

To be fair, if you really want people to take notice and get curious, then telling them to be your own bank and using #MagicInternetMoney will probably be the way to go.

It'll likely attract the general speculator and curious people, but those more interested in Bitcoin as sovereign money will dig deeper, just as we all did when moving on from faucets and magicmoney memes;)

[stomachgrowls]

It’s nice to see Bitcoin being promoted in public, it definitely raises people’s awareness that there is an alternative to the current financial system. What I don't like in this particular case is this hashtag used on trams #magicInternetMoney, which leads many to a completely wrong idea of what Bitcoin represents - and it's certainly not magic money that can solve all social/economic problems.

What I like is that billboards will be placed in front of some of the largest banks in HK - and it would be really interesting to see the reaction of these institutions to this kind of advertising under their windows.

You got some point though about using up that #magicInternetMoney but as part of getting someones attention then i consider that this might work.We do know when people do read up about these kind of words
then interest and curiosity is there.

Those sentences posted on to those billboards are indeed on point.HK place is not against with Bitcoin nor have that prohibition, so we can really expect these kind of advertisement and the spot on where its
placed is totally a place where crowd do commonly pass.

Well done!

[slaman29]

It’s nice to see Bitcoin being promoted in public, it definitely raises people’s awareness that there is an alternative to the current financial system. What I don't like in this particular case is this hashtag used on trams #magicInternetMoney, which leads many to a completely wrong idea of what Bitcoin represents - and it's certainly not magic money that can solve all social/economic problems.

What I like is that billboards will be placed in front of some of the largest banks in HK - and it would be really interesting to see the reaction of these institutions to this kind of advertising under their windows.

You got some point though about using up that #magicInternetMoney but as part of getting someones attention then i consider that this might work.We do know when people do read up about these kind of words
then interest and curiosity is there.

Those sentences posted on to those billboards are indeed on point.HK place is not against with Bitcoin nor have that prohibition, so we can really expect these kind of advertisement and the spot on where its
placed is totally a place where crowd do commonly pass.

Well done!

Banks are more magicmoney than anything else. I put 10 dollars into a deposit machine and magic! My bank account has $10, but guess what? Magic! The bank's accounts also has $10 more in capital, so they can loan someone else $10 as well and Magic! They now have 2 account holders with $10;)

But yeah, I think Bitcoiners in early days talk about Magic Internet Money in fun not so much in seriousness so I get the ads;)

[Lucius]

You got some point though about using up that #magicInternetMoney but as part of getting someones attention then i consider that this might work.We do know when people do read up about these kind of words
then interest and curiosity is there.

I don't think this advertising campaign will have no effect, but if you tell someone about magic money then you can very easily point it in the wrong direction. An obvious example are the users of this forum who do nothing but posting in bounty threads trying to get that magic money, or those who think that cloud mining is something they will get rich on.

Bitcoin is at least a very serious thing for me, because it is a very complex project from a technical point of view, but also quite demanding when it comes to use and storage.

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In front of HSBC HQ in Hong Kong

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/iqnsm9/in_front_of_hsbc_hq_in_hong_kong/

[Harlot]

I'm surprised that the Hong Kong police and their administration allowed such advertisement of Bitcoin even though they are hinting this as some kind of way for the Hong Kong citizens to have some kind of freedom with regards to their money. This might have flown under the radar for people or at least their advertisement laws are not that strictly enforced but I won't be surprised if the Mainland China government would be able to catch up and take down this ads showing Hong Kong citizens a way out for their money. My guess is these ads would be temporary and they won't be here for long.

[Lucius]

In front of HSBC HQ in Hong Kong

This is a really brave move, and I am glad that they placed such advertisements in front of this bank, which is globally known for its honesty. I wonder if there are more examples like this in the world, because somehow it seems to me that in Western democracies something like this would last a very short time or it would be impossible to promote Bitcoin in this way at all.

I haven’t been active on my Twitter account for a long time, but I will definitely share this image and it would be really good for everyone to use social media to share this news with others.

[Darker45]

It is really elating to hear that there is such a thing as Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong which has been in existence since the early years of Bitcoin, and they are doing things like these. While Bitcoin itself doesn't have a marketing team, people like the ones who made up this amazing association are doing things and spending money to selflessly promote Bitcoin and Bitcoin alone; no exchange, no wallet, no site, no whatsoever attached to the ads. 

They are very courageous people, too, putting up the ads in the most strategic of locations such as "outside of the Bank of China HK, HSBC and Standard Chartered HK headquarters." My worries, though, do these people stay anonymous in buying these ads space?

I can only hope they continue to have funds to support this great initiative and be able to stretch the duration beyond October 8.

[Harlot]

It is really elating to hear that there is such a thing as Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong which has been in existence since the early years of Bitcoin, and they are doing things like these. While Bitcoin itself doesn't have a marketing team, people like the ones who made up this amazing association are doing things and spending money to selflessly promote Bitcoin and Bitcoin alone; no exchange, no wallet, no site, no whatsoever attached to the ads. 

They are very courageous people, too, putting up the ads in the most strategic of locations such as "outside of the Bank of China HK, HSBC and Standard Chartered HK headquarters." My worries, though, do these people stay anonymous in buying these ads space?

I can only hope they continue to have funds to support this great initiative and be able to stretch the duration beyond October 8.

I don't think you can do this anonymously as ad spaces require some permit not unless this ads are labelled vandalism without any proper authorization of putting up these ads I don't see them posting these ads anonymously. Also the way where they promote Bitcoin on their ads is "Be Your Own Bank" which focus more on your own freedom with your money, the pics sent by OP didn't show any kind of promotion of Bitcoin when it comes to their privacy features plus the article already named the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong as the ones responsible for posting these ads so I don't think they are planning to hide it.

[stompix]

I'm surprised that the Hong Kong police and their administration allowed such advertisement of Bitcoin even though they are hinting this as some kind of way for the Hong Kong citizens to have some kind of freedom with regards to their money.

They have already a lot of things to deal with and they are right now at a point when they are avoiding any possible action that might trigger another series of protest, besides, they are only a few banners, from those banners to people actually using crypto and to actively using it against the government is a long way.
Everyone can hoist a banner but to follow what is written on it, it's a big difference.

Besides, the HK government has an ally, time, as long as they keep silencing protesters or threatening them enough to flee HK and bringing in more and more people from the mainland they will soon achieve a comfortable majority of loyal subjects, and this can't be stopped, no matter what form of money your use.

As for HK citizens, I would be more concerned with actual freedom than the privilege of being their own bank.

My worries, though, do these people stay anonymous in buying these ads space?

What would be the point when you have a website with their faces and names claiming to have done this?
https://www.bitcoin.org.hk/committees/

[bbc.reporter]

I am skeptical about this ad campaign. This appears or might only really be those similar to the larpers we see in the cryptospace.

What has Hong Kong done to stop Beijing from implementing the security law?

[Darker45]

I am skeptical about this ad campaign. This appears or might only really be those similar to the larpers we see in the cryptospace.

What has Hong Kong done to stop Beijing from implementing the security law?

There doesn't seem to appear hints that there are actually some ulterior motives of the group in launching this ad campaign. It appears plain promotion of Bitcoin to me.

I think Hong Kong as a whole did a lot in fighting against the passage of the law. But it seems China's influence has already ran deep in Hong Kong's politics. And all the efforts went to waste.

[stompix]

What has Hong Kong done to stop Beijing from implementing the security law?

What can Hong Kong do to stop Beijing in the first place?
And, as you might guess, the answer is almost nothing.

Although they don't like it, they think is not right, they claim otherwise, the real truth for the people of HK is that right now HK is China, and if China decides to forget everything, all the promises, the concept of "one country, two systems", the joint declaration that still guarantees somewhat of HK independence for the next 30 years, and does as Russia has done in Crimea, nobody will do anything. And both China and the people of Hong Kong know this!

The moment the UK decided to honor their treaty in 97 was the moment the fate of HK was sealed.

[bbc.reporter]

@Darker45. The motives for any cryptocoin ad campaign is always similar. To hype, pump and the whales to dump on the community again. The people behind this ad campaign does not care for the people's freedom.

@stompix. Agreed, nothing. Similar to this ad campaign, what is this really for?

I shake my head.

[Darker45]

What has Hong Kong done to stop Beijing from implementing the security law?

The moment the UK decided to honor their treaty in 97 was the moment the fate of HK was sealed.

Exactly! It was the moment the countdown began. And, just recently, the thing has happened. Hong Kong has now lost its freedom. Hong Kong's democracy was a ticking bomb the moment the UK turned it over to China.

@Darker45. The motives for any cryptocoin ad campaign is always similar. To hype, pump and the whales to dump on the community again. The people behind this ad campaign does not care for the people's freedom.

Bitcoin cannot be compared to "any cryptocoin." The ad campaign that we are talking here is not even initiated by Bitcoin itself, its fund not coming from Bitcoin, the people involved not in any way under payroll from Bitcoin, and so on. They appear to me as mere advocates and enthusiasts who are probably shelling out money from their own pockets for this. Of course, they too have their own BTC, so they will of course gain something if Bitcoin becomes more popular. We all will.

I don't know where you're coming from in saying that the people behind this initiative does not care for the people's freedom.

[cr1776]

What has Hong Kong done to stop Beijing from implementing the security law?

What can Hong Kong do to stop Beijing in the first place?
And, as you might guess, the answer is almost nothing.

Although they don't like it, they think is not right, they claim otherwise, the real truth for the people of HK is that right now HK is China, and if China decides to forget everything, all the promises, the concept of "one country, two systems", the joint declaration that still guarantees somewhat of HK independence for the next 30 years, and does as Russia has done in Crimea, nobody will do anything. And both China and the people of Hong Kong know this!

The moment the UK decided to honor their treaty in 97 was the moment the fate of HK was sealed.

I agree.  The fate of HK has been a slow motion destruction of freedom and liberty.  The people of HK should be aware now that the time has come to be ready to move assets offshore if not done already. 

The UK made a great offer to the citizens of HK with the offer of citizenship.  The US should do something similar.  There are a lot of talented, educated people there who understand the value of liberty and would make great additions to any society.