Biomass　derived　small　molecules　are　sustainable　feedstocks　to　synthesize　high　value-added　products.　Herein,　we　demonstrate　a　facile　one-pot　hydrothermal　method　to　fabricate　a　molybdenum　sulfide　modified　nickel-based　catalyst　for　the　electrochemical　oxidation　of　HMF　to　2,5-furandicarboxylic　acid　(FDCA).　The　as-synthesized　catalyst　shows　a　unique　nano-flower-like　microstructure　with　features　of　a　large　surface　area,　excellent　conductivity　and　high-valence　Mo　species.　Electrochemical　tests　indicate　that　the　onset　potential　increases　to　1.27　V　after　the　addition　of　HMF,　which　is　much　lower　than　that　of　water　oxidation.　This　change　suggests　that　the　oxidation　of　HMF　occurs　before　the　slow　kinetic　oxygen　evolution　reaction　(OER),　potentially　acting　as　an　alternative　to　the　OER　cathodic　reaction　to　drive　hydrogen　evolution　and　CO2　reduction.　Moreover,　the　reaction　achieves　100%　conversion　and　99%　selectivity,　which　is　because　molybdenum　sulfide　accelerates　the　in　situ　oxidation　of　Ni2+　to　NiOOH　and　Ni3+.　This　study　provides　a　new　pathway　for　the　conversion　of　HMF　into　FDCA,　a　promising　substitute　for　the　petroleum　derivative　terephthalic　acid.　©　2023　RSC.