It is the world’s most used smart card system with over 14.5 million transactions a day worth over HK$193.6 million. At the end of 2017 there were 34.4 million Octopus Cards or products with Octopus functions in circulation.
Octopus Card transaction records have also been used as evidence in obtaining convictions for crime. Octopus services have since been expanded and the card can also be used at over 13,000 retail outlets and 5,800 service providers including fast food outlets, bakeries and cake shops, convenience stores, supermarkets, household and personal care stores, boutiques, photo finishing services, telecommunications shops, vending machines, self service kiosks, photocopiers, photo booths, cinemas, telephone kiosks, parking machines, educational campuses and recreational facilities as well as for access control in residential and commercial buildings. It makes using Hong Kong’s impressive public transport system simple and convenient and is a “must” for most visitors to Hong Kong. The contactless smart card was developed to allow commuters to travel on multiple forms of public transport using a single card and without the inconvenience of finding exact cash for single journeys. The internationally acclaimed, pioneering Octopus Card has been an integral part of Hong Kong life since 1997. "Rainbow" design Octopus Card is the standard On-loan Adult Octopus Card