Fintech Reshapes 2,000-Year Red Packet Tradition for Lunar New Year 2026 Red Packet 2026: Galloping Into the Year of the Horse
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Financial technology continues to change how Lunar New Year red packets are given and received, shifting a 2,000-year tradition from physical envelopes to digital formats.
The earliest recorded red packets date back to the Han Dynasty, when coins inscribed with auspicious words were used to ward off evil spirits. Over time, the practice evolved into gifting money to family and friends. Today, banks and digital platforms enable customers to send electronic red packets instantly.
Rising Digital Adoption
In Singapore, e-red packets—commonly known as ang baos—have gained traction since the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated digital payments.
At OCBC, the number of customers sending e-red packets increased fivefold between 2022 and 2025. Usage among customers aged 65 and above rose 40 percent year-on-year in 2025, with nearly 80 percent of them sending digital red packets for the first time.
Ng Lee Peng, Head of Digital Business Singapore at OCBC, said digital options allow customers across age groups to participate in the tradition while using secure and convenient banking channels.
Expanding Beyond Cash
In Hong Kong, HSBC has introduced a feature enabling customers to gift tokenized gold through digital red packets. The token represents fractional ownership of physical gold stored in vaults. Since its launch in 2024, HSBC's retail gold token has recorded more than US$1 billion in trading volume.
Fraud Prevention Efforts
Authorities are also addressing risks associated with digital red packets. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has launched a public education campaign warning against scams involving fraudulent electronic lai-see, phishing QR codes, and malicious links distributed through messaging platforms.
The regulator advises the public to verify sources, avoid clicking suspicious links, and remain vigilant during the festive period.
About the Trend
As Lunar New Year 2026 approaches, digital red packets reflect how financial technology is integrated into long-standing cultural practices, offering new formats while maintaining the core purpose of sharing blessings and prosperity.
