Asia private equity fund activity reached a record as EQT closed its BPEA Private Equity Fund IX at USD15.6bn, marking the largest Asia-Pacific-focused fund raised to date. The oversubscribed Asia private equity fund, with USD14.9bn in fee-generating assets under management, will target control investments across technology, healthcare, industrial technology and services. The close comes despite fundraising for Asian funds hitting a 12-year low in 2025 after four consecutive

Family office demand is rising sharply as wealthy clients reposition portfolios, jurisdictions and governance frameworks in response to a fragmented global order. According to deVere Group, increased activity in family office demand reflects a strategic overhaul of cross-border holdings amid higher oil prices, inflation risks, currency volatility and tighter capital controls. Chief Executive Nigel Green said ultra-high-net-worth families are shifting sizeable portions of port

Family offices are increasingly turning to Asia as market volatility and geopolitical tension drive demand for stability. DBS said rising interest in family offices Asia reflects a shift by European and US clients seeking diversification and wealth management services. Private banking head Joseph Poon noted some clients are acquiring stakes in Asian businesses while others consider setting up secondary structures in the region. The growing appeal of family offices Asia is rei

Family offices are expected to play a key role in Singapore property investment growth in 2026 as Savills raised its forecast to SGD35bn–SGD40bn (USD25.9bn–USD29.6bn). The outlook reflects strong demand from family offices and private capital seeking stable returns and capital preservation. Singapore property investment continues to benefit from safe-haven status, transparent regulations and sustained capital inflows. While developers are expected to remain selective, office,

Hong Kong family offices are central to the city’s ambition to strengthen its global financial hub status, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said. He outlined plans for Hong Kong to become at least the world’s second-largest international financial centre within 10 to 15 years. The expansion of Hong Kong family offices is expected to support diversification beyond equities into fixed income, currencies, green finance and sustainable investments. Chan also highlighted rising mainl

The Hong Kong IPO market is showing renewed momentum as more than 10 international firms prepare to list, according to HKEX Chief Executive Bonnie Chan. IPO activity has reached 40% of last year’s total, with a record pipeline of listings. The rebound in the Hong Kong IPO market highlights the city’s role as a capital-raising hub, particularly for Southeast Asian firms, which have raised over USD4.3bn. Chan said HKEX would take a cautious approach to extending trading hours,

Hong Kong family office incentives are becoming a central pillar of the city’s wealth strategy as it seeks to attract global capital and strengthen its asset management industry. Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said enhanced tax regimes for funds, single-family offices and carried interest will be expanded to include funds-of-one and a broader range of investments from the 2025/26 assessment year. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, launch

Singapore family offices AI investment interest is rising, but many struggle to access attractive private deals due to limited opportunities and lack of technical expertise, industry executives said. JPMorgan Private Bank reported that 65% of family offices globally plan to prioritise AI investments, yet more than half lack exposure to venture and growth-stage firms driving the sector. Interest has been fuelled by strong valuations and potential listings from companies such a

Hong Kong stablecoin licences have been issued for the first time to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial, marking a key milestone in the city’s regulated digital asset strategy. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it received 36 applications last year, though Deputy Chief Executive Daryl Ho noted that further approvals would remain “very limited.” Anchorpoint, a joint venture led by Standard Chartered with Animoca Brands and HKT, plans to expand access through selected distribut

Emerging markets financing IMF analysis shows economies now rely heavily on foreign funding from portfolio investors such as hedge funds, pension funds, and insurers, leaving them more exposed to sudden capital flight during crises, the International Monetary Fund said in its latest Global Financial Stability Report. The emerging markets financing IMF data show portfolio investors now account for 80% of debt inflows into emerging markets, double the share 20 years ago, with c

Hong Kong AI adoption banking is accelerating as major financial institutions deepen deployment of artificial intelligence across operations. Manulife has moved its Asia chief AI officer to Hong Kong and created a new AI leadership role, while HSBC appointed its first chief AI officer and now reports over 100 generative AI use cases, with 85% of staff using AI tools. Industry executives said Hong Kong AI adoption banking is focused on customer service, underwriting, claims pr

External asset managers Singapore are gaining traction as wealthy clients seek more customised and transparent advice, according to research by Bank of Singapore. More than half of managers surveyed are expanding into new markets and partnerships, while nearly two-thirds said improving client experience was a priority. Demand is shifting towards fixed income as investors adopt a more defensive stance, alongside growing interest in alternatives and ETFs. Industry executives, i

South Korea crypto acquisitions are gathering pace as securities firms pursue purchases and stake investments in cryptocurrency operators while tokenised securities legislation remains delayed. Korea Investment & Securities is reviewing a potential acquisition of Coinone, while Mirae Asset Securities raised its stake in Korbit to 92% in February, securing management control. The shift highlights brokerages’ efforts to find new revenue streams as growth in traditional business

Taiwan China exposure reduction deepened in February as Taiwanese financial institutions’ aggregate exposure to China fell 13.44% year-on-year to NTD781.26bn(USD24.44bn), according to Financial Supervisory Commission data. The ratio of China exposure to combined net worth declined to 14.7% from 18% a year earlier. Banks accounted for the largest drop, with exposure down 13% to NTD723.68bn, reflecting concern over China’s slowing economy, local government debt and property mar

Danantara asset manager acquisition plans are moving ahead as Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund agreed to buy controlling stakes in four affiliated fund managers for about IDR2.7tr(USD159m). Through PT Danantara Asset Management, the fund signed deals on April 1 to acquire BRI Manajemen Investasi, Mandiri Manajemen Investasi, BNI Asset Management and PNM Investment Management, according to stock exchange disclosures. The transactions would give Danantara majority or near-full

Hong Kong MPF monthly loss is set to exceed HKD100bn(USD12.8bn) for March, the worst monthly decline in dollar terms since the retirement scheme was launched 25 years ago, as global market turmoil linked to the Middle East conflict hit pension assets. MPF Ratings estimated that the city’s 378 MPF funds lost HKD103.3bn in the first three weeks of March, or 6.33%, with each of the scheme’s 4.8 million members losing an average of HKD21,542. The pension regulator urged members t

Taishin Securities merger Taiwan will create the island’s fourth-largest brokerage by market share after the company completes its merger with MasterLink Securities, according to Financial Supervisory Commission data. The combined brokerage’s market share is expected to rise to 5.13% from 2.19%, lifting Taishin’s ranking from 16th to fourth. Taishin Securities will remain the surviving entity and the MasterLink brand will be discontinued. Parent TS Financial Holding said the

APAC digital wallets payments remain dominant globally, with digital wallets accounting for 77% of online spend worth USD2.7tr and 63% of in-person transactions worth USD6.3tr in 2025, according to a report by Global Payments. Adoption is broad-based, led by India and South Korea, while Southeast Asia is seeing rapid growth in account-to-account payments supported by national systems such as PromptPay and PayNow. Thailand has emerged as a leading A2A market, while Singapore r

Asia family offices turned more cautious in 2025, with expected average portfolio returns falling to 6% from the 10% respondents had anticipated in 2024, as market volatility and concerns over US tariffs and fiscal policy clouded the outlook, according to Campden Wealth and BNP Paribas Wealth Management. Cash was seen as the most rewarding asset class over the next 12 months, while private markets still made up 24% of average portfolios, second only to public equities at 27%.

Hong Kong family office tax incentives are being promoted to Australian investors as the city pitches itself as a base for family offices through its gateway role to mainland China and Asia-Pacific, deep capital markets and favourable tax treatment. Officials said Hong Kong manages more than USD4.5tr in assets as the world’s second-largest cross-border wealth hub, while Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing was the top venue globally for IPO fundraising in 2025. They also highligh