9GAG Founder Completes Acquisition of HowkingTech, Proposing Rename to "MemeStrategy," Set to Become Asia's First Publicly Listed Virtual Asset Ecosystem Venture

HKSAR, China, 1 April, 2025 – Ray Chan, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed meme platform 9GAG, has officially completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Howking Technology International Holdings Limited ("Howking Technology"; Stock Code: 2440) and announced plans to rename the company as MemeStrategy Inc. It underscores the company's positioning as Asia's first publicly listed virtual asset ecosystem venture. The proposed name change is subject to approval by shareholders at the upcoming EGM.

Board appointments: Ray Chan assumed Chairman and CEO. As co-founder of 9GAG, Chan built the platform to over 200 million users worldwide, backed by Y Combinator and other VCs. Several key members from 9GAG and Memeland joined the Board as Executive Directors.

Strategic Integration: MemeStrategy plans to incorporate Bitcoin and other high-potential virtual assets. Key focus areas: "Creator Economy 4.0" (Web3 to empower creators to monetize IP); "Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network" (DePin) merging Howking Technology's IoT expertise.

Ray Chan stated: "Our team is rooted in Hong Kong with a global vision. Now is the optimal time to leverage the transparent operating model of public companies to improve market awareness and confidence in Web3. We aim to build the bridge between the new economy and traditional finance, supporting Hong Kong's development as an international virtual asset hub."

Independent Non-Executive Directors appointed: Sandy Peng (Co-founder of Scroll), Wesley Ng (CEO and Co-founder of CASETiFY), Victor Siu (CEO of GCA Professional Services Group, 18+ years investment banking/valuation).

The MemeStrategy team has dual expertise in Web2 social media and Web3 virtual assets, with a track record including token projects featured on Binance Launchpool.