In-depth Interview with Dr. Jiang Guofei, President of Yunfeng Financial Group: How AI Engines and Web3 Infrastructure Can Reshape the New Paradigm of Digital Finance

Recently, Dr. Geoff Jiang, President of Yunfeng Financial Group (Stock Code: 00376.HK) and Founder of AlphaToken, was invited by top-tier global venture capital firm IOSG Ventures to participate in the 2026 Hong Kong Web3 Carnival, engaging in an in-depth dialogue with attendees about the future of digital finance. Leveraging his profound technical background and forward-looking financial practices, Dr. Jiang brilliantly outlined the paradigm shift of Web3 from the "Wild West era" towards an "institutionalized" and "rule-of-law era."

This dialogue was not only a collision between technology and finance but also a profound reflection by Yunfeng Financial on the new ecosystem of future asset management. The two parties initiated a candid and insightful exchange revolving around the commercial essence of RWA, the integration paradigm of AI and Web3, and the restructuring of the industry's profit model, jointly exploring how digital finance can transition from speculation to long-term value creation.

1. From the "Wild West" to the "Rule of Law Era": Compliance is the Only Ticket for Institutional Entry

Host: At this year's Carnival, the focus of discussion has shifted from "disrupting" basic infrastructure to "deep integration" with the real financial system. How do you perceive this paradigm shift?

Geoff: The feeling is very profound. I believe Web3 is currently undergoing a qualitative change from the "Wild West" to the "Law and Order" era. In the early, chaotic frontier days, people might have valued breaking conventions more. But now, especially in Hong Kong, the industry is entering a new phase with rules and regulations. It's like we are laying down "railways," introducing "police," and establishing order and hierarchy in the Wild West. For Yunfeng Financial, to truly go deep into this market, we need to navigate an extremely complex four-tier architecture. The first is the entry threshold, involving the compliance upgrade of Hong Kong's Type 1, 4, and 9 licenses in the digital asset space. The second is the institutional interface layer, where we need to solve the pain points of fund custody and account opening with the traditional banking system, often involving rigorous due diligence that can take months.

Furthermore, we must tackle the challenges of the technical compliance layer, including essential technologies like KYC, AML, and KYT for transaction monitoring. Finally, there is the internal control and risk management layer, concerning security audits, organizational operations, and risk hedging when assets flow across different systems. This transformation reflects the deep integration and磨合 (grinding-in/磨合) of Web2's institutional rigor with Web3's technological nativity.

2. The "Golden Triangle" Architecture: How Will the AI Engine Define the "Digital Finance" of the Future?

Host: You particularly emphasized the role of AI during the discussion. In the next phase of digital finance, how will AI, data, and Web3 together build the industry's "moat"?

Geoff: I have always firmly believed that future digital finance will be supported by three pillars: Data, AI, and Web3. Decision-making in digital finance relies on a large amount of high-quality data from the market, which provides an "information asymmetry." AI is responsible for analysis and decision-making, offering a significant "cognitive edge." Web3 serves as the underlying programmable settlement infrastructure, enabling instant asset exchange via smart contracts, creating a substantial "time advantage" in the clearing and settlement process.

When these three create a chemical reaction, we can realize a highly attractive vision: creating "AI-driven family offices for everyone." Under traditional logic, family offices are a privilege for the very few. However, in the future, by using AI engines to precisely screen tens of billions of assets globally, combined with Web3's extremely low-cost and highly efficient instant clearing and settlement, this professional-grade wealth management service will truly achieve financial inclusion, empowering every ordinary person with institution-level asset allocation capabilities.

3. The Essence of RWA: The "Disintermediation" Revolution in the Financial Industry

Host: Dr. Jiang, you once proposed that RWA is the "Taobao model" for the financial industry. This perspective is very vivid within the industry. How do you think it solves the industry's profit model challenges?

Geoff: The logic of RWA is, in essence, the "direct sales revolution" of the financial industry. In the traditional financial chain, the distribution path for products is extremely long. Each layer of intermediaries takes a cut of the profit, leading to low efficiency and high costs.

RWA, leveraging Web3 technology, can achieve the "disintermediation" of financial products. Through technological means, it directly connects asset originators with investors, much like buying vegetables directly from the source farmer on Taobao. This "financial direct sales" enabled by Web3, combined with AI's asset screening and risk penetration capabilities, allows investors to capture a larger share of the returns from the underlying assets. This maximization of efficiency is the core driving force for the industry to generate sustainable profits and achieve long-term success.

4. Focusing on the Real, Moving Beyond the Legacy of the "Wild West"

Host: For talents or institutions preparing to enter this field, what fundamental advice would you give? Both sides have greatly benefited from this excellent communication today. Please also give us a summary.

Geoff: My core feeling is that the Wild West era is completely over. The current key test is business fundamentals – what exactly is your product, who are your customers, and is your cash flow sustainable. In Hong Kong's robust regulatory environment, it can actually foster truly valuable business closed loops.

In summary, the second half of Web3 is no longer a virtual game but a deep integration with the real world. Don't always think about profiting through short-term concept speculation; that model won't last. The real challenge lies in whether you can use technological means to solve real financial pain points within a compliant framework. Only those who can bridge the rigor of traditional finance, have a deep understanding of the regulatory climate, and truly know how to leverage technological advantages to create real value will emerge victorious in the next race of digital finance. Today's conversation has been very enjoyable, and we look forward to working with industry partners to build this orderly, value-driven new digital finance ecosystem.

Dr. Geoff Jiang, President of Yunfeng Financial Group and Founder of AlphaToken (right)

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