The Hong Kong fintech summit formed by the merger of Hong Kong FinTech Week and StartmeupHK is expected to attract more than 45,000 participants from 120 economies when it takes place on Nov. 2-3, 2026. The combined event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will bring together finance, technology, startup and investment communities under the theme “Fintech Nexus: Bridging the World, Building the Future”. Organisers expect around 1,000 speakers, 800 sponsors, exh

Singapore family office legal services are expanding with the launch of The Little Law Corporation, a boutique firm targeting founders, family offices, private equity managers and multinational companies involved in cross-border transactions across Asia. Founder and managing director Shen Xiaoyin has more than 14 years of experience spanning commercial litigation, international arbitration, mergers and acquisitions and investment advisory work. Her previous roles include Alle

Hong Kong remained first in the 2026 Asian Cities Internationality Index, reinforcing the city's position as one of the region's most internationally connected business centres. Hong Kong scored 74.6 points, ranking ahead of Singapore at 72.6. Seoul climbed to third with 69.2, followed by Tokyo at 68.6 and Shanghai at 65.3. The index, commissioned by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and conducted by Ipsos, assessed 11 cities across multiple measures of international

The responsAbility Asia Climate Fund has closed at USD461m with backing from family offices, institutional investors, foundations and development finance institutions. The private credit vehicle targets companies operating in renewable energy, electric mobility, energy efficiency, circular economy and infrastructure across South and Southeast Asia. Its blended-finance structure uses concessional public-sector capital to mobilise commercial investment, with private commitments

The Asia wealthy insurance market could generate USD100bn to USD140bn in annual new-business premiums by 2030 as family offices and private banks expand insurance-based wealth planning, according to McKinsey & Company. Only around 15% to 20% of Asia’s wealthy individuals currently incorporate life insurance into their financial plans, leaving a substantial portion of the market underserved. Asia-Pacific personal financial assets are forecast to reach USD120tr by 2030, while a

Hong Kong startup support is being expanded through a new HKD10bn (USD1.27bn) technology fund and greater use of patient capital as the city positions itself as a gateway for mainland companies expanding internationally. Innovation Secretary Sun Dong said the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund will target life and health technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors and smart devices. Hong Kong Investment Corporation Chief Executive Clara Chan sa

Vietnam economic growth accelerated to 8.4% year on year during the second quarter of 2026, exceeding an earlier 7% forecast as manufacturing, construction and domestic demand strengthened. Gross domestic product expanded 8.2% during the first half, while exports jumped 21% to USD266.5bn and foreign investment increased 61% to USD34.65bn. Standard Chartered expects Vietnam’s economy to grow 9.5% in 2026 and accelerate further to 11% in 2027, according to Xinhua. The bank also

New Singapore fund manager tax measures have prompted some investment professionals to pause planned relocations to Hong Kong as competition between the two financial centres intensifies. Bloomberg reported that Singapore-based managers had put relocation decisions on hold after Monetary Authority of Singapore deputy chairman Chee Hong Tat outlined new tax and visa incentives during a Singapore Financial Leaders Network meeting. Singapore plans to exempt qualifying profit-rel

Indian family offices Singapore structures are gaining renewed interest as some private banks resume facilitating offshore remittances despite continuing regulatory uncertainty in India. The Economic Times reported that around INR15bn (USD171m) had been transferred over the past two months, with a Singapore bank, two law firms and a wealth manager advising families across major Indian cities. Banks had largely stopped facilitating such transactions after a Reserve Bank of Ind

The Azalea evergreen private equity fund has attracted family offices, private banks and wealthy individuals from across Asia as the Temasek-linked investment manager raised more than USD1bn across three vehicles. Azalea All Access secured more than USD350m in initial commitments and offers exposure to private equity secondaries and co-investments through monthly subscriptions and quarterly redemptions. Azalea also closed Altrium Private Equity Fund III at USD526m in June and

Hong Kong annuity payments China access has improved after HKMC Annuity introduced direct monthly yuan payments for eligible retirees living in mainland China. The company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation, will use Payment Connect to transfer guaranteed annuity income directly into qualifying mainland bank accounts. Its servicing bank will convert Hong Kong dollar-denominated annuity payments into yuan before sending them through the cross-border system, which

Philippine stock broker capital requirements could be increased as the Securities and Exchange Commission seeks to strengthen investor confidence and deepen domestic capital markets. SEC Chairman Francis Lim said the current PHP100m (USD1.6m) minimum capital threshold was established 25 years ago, while some brokerages continue operating with capital of about PHP30m. Lim said brokers need sufficient resources to support investor education, compliance and increasingly complex

The Partners Group Asia private credit business has secured a USD1bn mandate from an unnamed Asian institutional investor as sovereign wealth funds and insurers increase allocations to private lending. The evergreen mandate includes a discretionary allocation and co-investment capital targeting senior and junior direct-lending opportunities across Asia-Pacific. Partners Group said it has secured more than five Asian institutional mandates over the past year, including an EUR8

The Hang Seng wealth network is expanding across Hong Kong as the bank seeks to capture stronger demand from high-net-worth clients despite uncertainty surrounding Beijing’s scrutiny of mainland residents’ overseas investments. Hang Seng Bank has opened a 6,300-square-foot wealth centre at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, its second new facility this year, and plans further openings over the next 12 to 18 months. The lender also aims to increase its relationship-manager workforce

HKEX listing applications will remain valid for up to 12 months instead of six under a temporary waiver designed to give issuers and advisers greater flexibility while reducing repeat filings. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing said the measure, supported by the Securities and Futures Commission, will run from Aug. 21, 2026, to Aug. 20, 2029. Eligible applicants must satisfy prescribed conditions and continue providing current business and financial information throughout the e

The China offshore wealth tax push is prompting wealthy mainland families to review offshore trusts and investment structures as Beijing strengthens scrutiny of overseas assets and capital flows. Rules introduced in late July impose a 20% tax on gains when shares, property or other assets are transferred into offshore trusts, while income generated by trusts is taxed annually at the same rate. Unpaid taxes relating to assets settled since January 2023 and income received befo

The HKEX multi-asset expansion strategy will broaden Hong Kong's financial market beyond equities, with the exchange also considering longer trading hours to increase its appeal to international investors. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing CEO Bonnie Chan said the exchange intends to sharpen its focus on fixed income, currencies, commodities and other asset classes as it develops a more diversified market ecosystem. HKEX will also continue broadening its listing pipeline beyon

New Vietnam small business tax breaks will provide lower rates and exemptions for smaller enterprises while introducing additional compliance requirements under the country's latest income tax changes. Corporate income tax rates will range from 15% to 20%, depending on company size, while businesses involved in petroleum and precious-mineral activities will face rates ranging from 25% to 50%. Businesses generating annual revenue of no more than VND1bn (USD38,000) will be exem

The Maybank tokenised supply-chain financing transaction marks Malaysia's first such deal and demonstrates how tokenisation could improve access to working capital and trade finance. Maybank provided MYR1m (USD237,000) in financing to construction and building materials supplier Syarikat Logam Unitrade through Virtual Economy Technology's NexA platform for tokenised trade receivables. The pilot demonstrated an end-to-end tokenised process covering invoice approval, financing

The PAG Asia buyout fund is targeting about USD4bn as the investment firm tests institutional appetite for Asian private equity while reducing its historically heavy exposure to China. PAG has informed limited partners about the fundraising but has yet to finalise its target, according to people familiar with the plans. The vehicle could ultimately raise between USD4bn and USD5bn, with an initial close potentially taking place by the end of the year. PAG's previous buyout fun