The convergence of fintech, digital currency, and cross-border payments is reshaping the future of global finance — and in China’s A-share market, this transformation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Bolstered by strong policy support and strategic national initiatives, these sectors are entering a golden era of growth and innovation.
Recent developments highlight the momentum: the mBridge project — a multilateral central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative — has achieved real-time settlement between digital yuan, Hong Kong dollars, and Thai baht in just five seconds. Meanwhile, the launch of “Cross-Border Payment Connect” on June 22 has directly linked mainland and Hong Kong payment systems, dramatically expanding operational efficiency and market reach.
With the global digital currency market projected to surpass $10 trillion by 2029, institutional investors are positioning aggressively. Notably, Central Huijin Investment Ltd., a sovereign wealth fund known for its strategic stakes in key financial institutions, has significantly increased holdings in select companies that are deeply integrated into these transformative technologies.
Below, we spotlight five A-share listed companies that are simultaneously advancing in fintech infrastructure, digital RMB adoption, and cross-border payment solutions — all while attracting substantial investment from Central Huijin.
1. HaiLian JinHui: Bridging Global Payments with Blockchain
HaiLian JinHui stands out as one of the few firms in China holding a rare cross-border payment license, making it a critical player in international financial connectivity. Central Huijn has accumulated an indirect stake of 8.92 million shares through asset management plans.
A key differentiator is the company’s possession of an MSO (Money Service Operator) license in Hong Kong, enabling compliant remittance and exchange services. By leveraging blockchain technology, HaiLian JinHui achieves cross-border transactions settled within five seconds, aligning perfectly with the speed benchmarks set by mBridge.
Its footprint spans over 40 countries across Southeast Asia, positioning it at the forefront of regional financial inclusion. Moreover, the company is considered a potential licensed participant in upcoming stablecoin pilot programs — a development that could unlock new revenue streams and regulatory credibility.
2. Newland: Powering Digital RMB Across Devices and Borders
As a leader in financial tax control terminals, Newland Digital Technology holds a dominant position in China’s point-of-sale (POS) ecosystem. Central Huijin owns 18.52 million shares, underscoring confidence in its long-term digital transformation strategy.
The company’s hardware supports full-series digital RMB payments, making it a go-to provider for merchants upgrading to CBDC-ready infrastructure. Beyond domestic use, Newland’s cross-border payment terminals capture over 40% market share in Southeast Asia, where demand for seamless RMB integration is rising.
In addition to payments, Newland leads in merchant IoT solutions, connecting physical retail environments with cloud-based analytics and transaction tracking. This synergy between payment processing and smart commerce strengthens its moat in an increasingly data-driven financial landscape.
With governments across Asia pushing for digital currency adoption, Newland’s dual expertise in hardware and networked services places it at the epicenter of fintech evolution.
3. Star-net Rayjet: Enterprise Infrastructure Behind the Scenes
While less visible to consumers, Star-net Rayjet plays a foundational role in China’s digital financial architecture. As a top-tier provider of enterprise networking equipment, it has earned a stake of 20.93 million shares from Central Huijin.
Its subsidiary, Sundent Information, manufactures payment terminals that are fully compatible with digital RMB wallets and protocols. These devices have been deployed in pilot zones and are actively participating in the mBridge cross-border settlement trials, testing interoperability between different CBDCs.
More importantly, Star-net Rayjet contributes to the underlying technical framework of digital currency systems — including secure data transmission, device authentication, and network resilience. Its technological depth ensures reliability in high-volume financial environments such as banks, airports, and logistics hubs.
With strong R&D capabilities and early involvement in national digital currency projects, the company represents a core component of China’s financial tech backbone.
4. Shiji Information: Connecting Hotels, Currencies, and Blockchains
Shiji Information dominates the global hospitality IT sector, providing management systems to thousands of hotels worldwide. Central Huijin holds a substantial 44.91 million shares, reflecting strong institutional trust.
Its Astral payment platform is integrated with the CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System) — China’s answer to SWIFT — enabling real-time clearing across 11 major currencies. Using blockchain-based settlement, Astral reduces transaction times to seconds while enhancing transparency and auditability.
In Q1 2025 alone, Shiji reported an 85.36% year-on-year increase in net profit, driven largely by expansion in cross-border payment services. As international travel rebounds and digital RMB usage grows among foreign tourists, Shiji is well-positioned to benefit from both trends.
By combining vertical-specific software with cutting-edge financial infrastructure, Shiji exemplifies how niche players can become systemic enablers in the digital economy.
5. The Full-License Digital Currency Leader: A Strategic Institutional Favorite
Among the most compelling cases is a company uniquely positioned as China’s only fully licensed digital currency leader — and also the country’s largest financial system provider. This firm operates at the intersection of banking infrastructure, CBDC integration, and large-scale transaction processing.
Central Huijin, alongside Central China Depository & Clearing (China Securities Finance Corporation), holds significant stakes. Notably, Central Huijin indirectly boosted its investment by nearly 700 million yuan, signaling strong conviction in the company’s strategic value.
The firm benefits from indirect ownership by a major tech conglomerate — enhancing its innovation pipeline and distribution network. In Q1 2025, it posted an extraordinary 186.70% year-on-year surge in net profit, attracting over 62 institutional investors and drawing urgent foreign capital inflows of 146 million shares.
This level of coordinated interest from state-backed funds and global investors highlights its status as a cornerstone asset in China’s digital financial ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Central Huijin and why does its investment matter?
A: Central Huijin is a state-owned investment vehicle that manages stakes in key financial institutions. Its buying patterns often signal government-backed confidence in a company’s strategic importance and long-term stability.
Q: How does the mBridge project impact these companies?
A: mBridge enables instant cross-border settlements using central bank digital currencies. Companies involved gain early-mover advantages in technology deployment, regulatory compliance, and international partnerships.
Q: Why focus on firms active in fintech, digital currency, and cross-border payments?
A: These areas represent high-growth intersections of policy support, technological innovation, and global demand. Together, they form the foundation of modern financial infrastructure.
Q: Are these stocks suitable for retail investors?
A: While these companies show strong fundamentals and institutional backing, all investments carry risk. Retail investors should conduct independent research and consider diversification before making decisions.
Q: What role does blockchain play in these payment systems?
A: Blockchain enhances security, transparency, and speed in transaction recording and settlement — especially valuable in cross-border contexts where trust and reconciliation are critical.
Q: Is digital RMB adoption expanding outside China?
A: Yes — through initiatives like mBridge and regional pilots, digital RMB is being tested for trade and tourism use in Hong Kong, Thailand, and other neighboring economies.
As China accelerates its digital financial transformation, companies backed by Central Huijin offer a window into the future of money movement. From blockchain-powered remittances to seamless cross-border commerce enabled by digital yuan, these five firms are not just beneficiaries — they are builders of the new financial order.