China’s central bank has intensified concerns over China stablecoin AML risk, warning that stablecoins fail to meet mainland requirements on customer identification and anti-money-laundering controls. Following a multi-agency meeting, the People’s Bank of China reiterated that virtual-currency activity constitutes illegal financial conduct and can facilitate fraud, money laundering and unauthorised cross-border flows. The statement complicates Hong Kong’s efforts to build a r

Standard Chartered has lifted its China 2026 GDP forecast to 4.6% from 4.3%, citing resilient exports and ongoing productivity improvements, according to a research note dated 1 December. The bank said China’s export competitiveness has strengthened following easing trade tensions with the US after both sides reached a truce. It added that better total factor productivity should further support the China 2026 GDP forecast, with the government expected to set a growth target b

Southeast Asia family conglomerates remain central to the region’s economic landscape, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines, but must adapt as returns weaken, Singapore’s Business Times reported, citing academics and advisers. Experts highlighted three urgent priorities: expanding into growth sectors, introducing professional leadership, and strengthening early succession planning. An EY-Parthenon analysis of 36 listed regional conglomerates showed that average annua

Analysts expect the Malaysia banking sector to maintain resilient earnings following the latest reporting season, although net interest margins declined sequentially for most lenders and may remain under pressure into the first half of fiscal 2026. Kenanga Research said system loans rose 5.4% year-on-year in October, aligning with its 2025 target of around 5.5%, while deposits grew 3.7% as customers shifted to shorter-tenure fixed deposits ahead of festive-season liquidity ne

Temasek-owned Seviora Group will fold in fellow Singapore subsidiary Pavilion Capital to form an integrated asset manager overseeing about USD72bn of assets. The combined platform will strengthen offerings across private equity, private credit, public markets and financing. Pavilion will retain its brand and pan-Asia strategy while marketing products under the Seviora umbrella. Seviora CEO Gabriel Lim said the integration will broaden capabilities and help attract third-party

Fears of an Asia third-generation wealth curse are prompting wealthy families across the region to overhaul succession plans, UOB Private Bank said. Angela Koh, head of wealth planning and family office advisory, noted that equal share distribution is falling out of favour due to risks of rival leadership and disputes, driving greater adoption of trusts that cast heirs as stewards. She said younger members are also reshaping philanthropy in response to the Asia third-generati

HKIFA investment flows are expected to shift toward equity, bond and mixed-asset funds next year as expectations of rate cuts lift risk appetite and cash leaves maturing high-interest deposits. The Hong Kong Investment Funds Association reported strong momentum, noting Hong Kong retail fund sales rose 35% year on year in the first three quarters to USD82.6bn, surpassing 2024’s full-year total. Net inflows hit a 10-year high at USD15.7bn. Equity funds posted USD16.8bn in sales

A UnaFinancial survey found Southeast Asia fintech trust remains strong, with more than 84% of consumers in Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia expressing confidence in digital financial platforms. Singapore topped the region with 91.8% trust, followed by the Philippines at 88.1%, while Vietnam recorded the highest share of strong trust at 37.2%. The Southeast Asia fintech trust study showed confidence is driven by data security, transparent fees, strong brand r

The HKMA local-currency payments initiative is gaining traction as Hong Kong seeks to expand regional use of local currencies in trade and financing to mitigate geopolitical risk. HKMA CEO Eddie Yue said tariff shocks, supply-chain disruptions and volatile markets highlight the urgency of deeper integration across Asia-Pacific. He urged expanded payments connectivity, broader local-currency settlement, stronger regional bond markets and better hedging tools to reinforce the H

Singapore wealth longevity is becoming a major concern, with two‑thirds of high‑net‑worth individuals fearing their wealth will not outlive their children, a Sun Life survey found. About 75% said heirs are not financially prepared to manage inherited assets, while 59% worry about family disputes and 53% fear volatility eroding valuations. Only around half are confident heirs will follow instructions on transferring or preserving assets. The survey of 316 Singapore residents w

Citi FX hires Asia continue to increase, with seven senior sales and trading specialists joining since September as the bank targets rising FX flows and deeper client engagement. New hires include Manoj Goel to lead corporate FX sales for the India sub‑continent; Cassalynne Lou in Singapore corporate FX; Yusuke Aita in Tokyo and Renee Gao in Hong Kong for institutional coverage; Matthew Lim in Singapore for institutional FX; and traders Nicky Lam and Jonathan Chua for G10 opt

Malaysia capital markets sandbox efforts moved forward as the Securities Commission selected six firms for its first Regulatory Sandbox cohort, enabling 12 months of real‑world testing. Firms include Wahed X and Urban NX for alternative real‑estate investments; Kapital DX and Pitch Platforms for secondary‑market initiatives; and Virtual Economy Technology and PeerHive for alternative financing. Testing will start in January or July 2026 depending on readiness. Chairman Mohamm

Singapore CEO tenure continues to exceed global norms, with Straits Times Index leaders averaging 8.8 years in office in Q3 2025, compared with the worldwide average of 7.2 years, Russell Reynolds Associates reported. Hong Kong CEOs averaged 3.7 years, while Asia‑Pacific overall slipped to 5.9 years as boards demand greater agility amid regulatory and market shifts. More than four in five new CEO appointments in the region came from internal promotions, versus seven in ten gl

Family offices APAC real estate allocations are rising sharply as global capital pivots to Asia Pacific for growth and diversification, according to Colliers’ 2026 Global Investor Outlook. APAC-focused fundraising has climbed more than 130% since 2024, accounting for about 11% of global capital raising in the first three quarters of 2025. Family offices and high-net-worth investors have been especially active in Hong Kong and Australia, capitalising on pricing opportunities a

Generational wealth transfer family offices are expanding rapidly as ultra-wealthy heirs and founders shift away from traditional private banks, speakers at the PWM/FT Live Global Wealth Management Summit in London said. Advisers pointed to declining trust in banks, commission conflicts and stronger demand for transparent, flat-fee advisory structures. Younger entrepreneurs increasingly seek governance, tax planning, philanthropy and succession services within multi-family of

Hong Kong safe haven capital flows are strengthening as global investors reassess geopolitical risks, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said. Bank deposits have risen more than 10% this year to above HKD19tr (USD2.43tr) after a 7% increase in 2024. Several major listings drew cornerstone investors from the West and the Middle East, while global financial groups plan to expand operations locally. Chan said Hong Kong is transitioning from a one-way China gateway to a two-way platfo

AI infrastructure fundraise Koo family backing is accelerating global ultra-rich investment into backbone AI assets. Taiwan billionaire Andre Koo Sr is anchoring two newly launched AI infrastructure funds with at least USD100m as Chailease Holding partners with US investor Jasper Lau’s Era to raise USD1.5bn from wealthy individuals and institutions. The funds will target data centres, power capacity and GPU-driven infrastructure, including firms aligned with Nvidia. Koo contr

Hong Kong family offices are expanding rapidly as the city hits its end‑2025 target ahead of schedule, driven by Hong Kong family office tax incentives and an upgraded investor‑migration scheme. InvestHK said more than 200 family offices had set up or expanded in the city by September, helped by profits‑tax exemptions, a six‑month holding rule under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, and simplified operational requirements. Authorities estimate Hong Kong hosts over 2,700

Thailand central bank SME credit support will expand as new Bank of Thailand governor Vitai Ratanakorn outlines a more hands‑on remit to address low productivity, weak competitiveness and high household debt. Loan growth has contracted for 15 months, while SME credit fell 4% year‑on‑year in Q3, prompting a credit‑guarantee scheme aimed at lifting SME lending by about 100bn baht (USD2.78bn) from early 2026. The bank is also working with the finance ministry, bankers and asset

Philippine GDP downgrade momentum intensified as S&P Global Ratings and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office cut growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 following a Q3 slowdown to a four‑year low tied to a flood‑control corruption scandal. S&P now expects 4.8% growth this year, down from 5.6%, while AMRO lowered its 2025 projection to 5.2%, both below the government’s 5.5–6.5% target. For 2026, S&P cut its view to 5.7% and AMRO to 5.3%, citing weaker public investment, softer