Hong Kong residents have a fairly cash - free lifestyle , especially on public transport . ` And I think the other side of it will also to be exporting the knowledge that we 've accumulated over 17 years of doing contactless smart card , and deploying that knowledge in other cities around the world , '' Goldmintz told Stout . The smart card , already 17 years old , is now used for several types of commerce . Octopus sees a cashless society as a priority , especially in the Asia - Pacific region .
Hong Kong residents have a fairly cash - free lifestyle , especially on public transport . The smart card , already 17 years old , is now used for several types of commerce . Octopus sees a cashless society as a priority , especially in the Asia - Pacific region .