Hong Kong SFC REIT approval procedures have been shortened to four weeks as the Securities and Futures Commission launches a new one-stop channel to facilitate real estate investment trust (REIT) listings. The platform enables local and overseas issuers to consult the regulator confidentially, improving efficiency and market preparation. The SFC has also simplified authorisation requirements and documentation, streamlining the application timeline. Hong Kong currently hosts 1

China’s commerce ministry US trade dialogue remains strained as Beijing urges Washington to “correct its wrongdoings” and show sincerity in ongoing economic talks. The statement followed US claims that China had postponed a planned call on rare earth export controls. A ministry spokesperson said Beijing had notified the US in advance of the new measures through their bilateral export control dialogue and held working-level talks as recently as Monday. The spokesperson added t

Hong Kong Islamic finance initiatives are gathering pace as the city positions itself as North Asia’s hub for Shariah-compliant financial products. Companies are exploring sukuk bond issuance to attract Middle Eastern capital into the Greater Bay Area, officials and bankers said. Standard Chartered’s David Yim noted growing interest in sukuk listings following government roadshows in the region. Financial Secretary Paul Chan highlighted that Hong Kong’s legal framework alread

Singapore AI hub for finance has been launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across the financial industry. Developed under the PathFin.ai programme, now involving more than 80 financial institutions, the hub offers peer-validated use cases in risk management, sales, and operations. It will be expanded to include new case studies, resources, and workforce planning tools to help institutions deploy AI efficiently. M

Malaysia family office tax incentives could deliver up to MYR10.7bn (USD2.5bn) in economic benefits, according to Juwai IQI Global Wealth Office head Haroon Anwar. The new package aims to attract single-family offices (SFOs) with assets of at least MYR30m, a threshold below Hong Kong’s and far under Dubai’s MYR211m. It requires MYR500,000 in annual domestic spending and offers up to 20 years of 0% income tax plus exemptions on stamp duty and capital gains. Anwar said long-ter

A new FedEx survey Asia-Pacific trade reveals that more than 40% of APAC businesses plan to pivot away from the United States within a year, as firms adjust to regulatory changes and supply-chain pressures. Of those surveyed, 22% will target Asian markets and 21% will shift toward Europe. The survey of 3,800 companies across nine regional economies follows the US ending its de minimis rule in August, which had exempted imports under USD800 from customs duties. The policy chan

Hong Kong family office incentives are being expanded as the city steps up its efforts to attract global wealth and strengthen its financial ecosystem. Financial Services Secretary Christopher Hui announced that new legislation will be introduced next year to extend tax concessions to carbon credits and digital assets, while also expanding eligible investments to private credit. Hong Kong aims to help 220 family offices establish or expand operations between 2026 and 2028, su

Fasset Islamic crypto bank has received regulatory approval from Malaysia’s Labuan FSA, becoming the world’s first Shariah-compliant digital bank powered by stablecoins. The UAE-based fintech will expand from digital asset services to full-scale on-chain banking through its superapp, offering zero-interest accounts and access to US stocks, gold, and cryptocurrencies. With over 500,000 users across 125 countries, the platform currently handles USD6bn in annualised volume and a

Hong Kong is preparing a new round of stock exchange reforms aimed at expanding access for smaller and more diverse companies, with multiple voting rights, to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The proposed Hong Kong listing reforms, announced by Salina Yan Mei-mei, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, seek to lower qualification thresholds and widen eligibility across industries while maintaining listing quality. Yan told lawmakers that simplifying

Thailand has unveiled a new plan to simplify stock-listing rules and attract more international investors as part of its drive to...

Singapore banks are intensifying their asset tokenisation initiatives to boost efficiency and competitiveness, though regulatory and...

HKMA green finance initiatives could help Hong Kong bridge a global funding gap of more than USD200bn, even as China has built the...

Malaysia family office framework is gaining traction as part of its ambition to be a regional wealth hub, anchored in the Forest City...

Philippine SEC independent directors face stricter limits under a draft circular proposing fixed three-year terms and a maximum nine-year...

Singapore family office tax rules will be eased to attract more global wealth as rival hubs such as Hong Kong, Dubai and Malaysia step up...

South Korea finance reforms will be advanced by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) to...

ADB Southeast Asia growth forecast has been lowered for 2025 and 2026, with weaker global demand, trade tensions and domestic headwinds...

Hong Kong financial cooperation with Slovenia and Poland is being expanded as part of wider efforts to strengthen economic and trade...

Singapore equity programme 2025 will evaluate fund managers under the SGD5bn (USD3.65bn) Equity Market Development Programme across at...

Hong Kong fintech ranking 2025 climbed to the world’s top spot, surpassing London and New York as the leading global fintech hub,...