The Singapore Exchange will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures on Nov.24, offering institutional, accredited and expert investors regulated access to crypto markets as digital assets gain adoption in portfolios. The contracts, benchmarked to iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices, will use a funding‑rate mechanism to keep prices aligned with underlying crypto benchmarks while providing continuous, no‑expiry exposure via SGX’s listed‑derivatives clearing and margin system. S

Asia’s family offices and next‑generation wealthy entrepreneurs are fuelling demand for Vista’s private aviation services as the group puts Japan and Southeast Asia at the centre of its 2026 plan. Vista, parent of VistaJet and XO, said Japan is its fastest‑growing market, with membership up 67% year on year in H1 2025, supported by outbound corporate investment and ultra‑rich clients seeking global mobility. Industry data show Japan is set to attract about 600 new high‑net‑wo

Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) earned more than HKD2bn (USD256m) in 2024 investment income, driven by initial public offerings and biotechnology allocations, chief executive Clara Chan told Bloomberg TV. Formed in 2022 with HKD62bn to strengthen the city’s economy and mainland links, HKIC has deployed less than 20% of its capital but remains “in perfect alignment” with its plans. The fund is entering a second phase to pursue larger deals alongside sovereign funds, pe

DBS and Franklin Templeton have jointly launched Singapore’s first tokenised retail fund, advancing efforts to mainstream digital finance. The Franklin Onchain US Dollar Short-Term Money Market Fund, a USD-denominated strategy recorded on a blockchain register, has been approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as an authorised scheme. Available via DBS relationship managers to wealth clients and accredited investors, the fund has a USD20 minimum investment, with a reta

Private funding for Southeast Asia’s digital economy grew 15% year on year to USD7.7bn in the 12 months to June 2025, though it remains about 70% below the 2021 peak, according to the Google-Temasek-Bain report. Growth lagged the global 25% pace, with capital concentrated in late-stage rounds while early-stage deals dropped from 30% to about 20%. The study, expanded to 10 markets, found that AI accounted for 32% of total funding in H1 2025, up from 30% in H2 2024, as over 680

Singapore’s Jaleel family office has purchased the George Williams Hotel in Brisbane’s central business district for AUD34m (USD22.2m) through High Street Holdings, the investment arm of JD Properties. The acquisition adds a centrally located, mid-scale property to a portfolio expected to exceed AUD150m as the family builds its Australian hospitality assets. The move positions the office to capture demand from Brisbane’s infrastructure boom and the 2032 Olympic Games. It also

Asia’s private credit lenders are increasingly adopting payment-in-kind (PIK) structures as higher-for-longer interest rates, tighter bank capital rules and shallow bond markets squeeze borrowers’ cash. Previously used mainly in distressed and mezzanine deals, PIK is now emerging in senior direct lending, allowing interest to accrue to principal or convert to equity to preserve liquidity while increasing leverage. Variations include holdco PIK, split PIK and toggle PIK, with

Munich-based family office Perpetual Investors is shifting its focus towards Asia infrastructure as it trims a historically US-heavy portfolio, according to Infrastructure Investor. Founded in 2015 as the investment office of Bavaria’s Wilsdorf family, Perpetual backs entrepreneurs, other family offices, and institutional investors, with several years’ experience in infrastructure assets. The firm is pursuing broader diversification across Asia, Europe, and the US but notes r

Thailand’s central bank will now permit non-bank institutions to establish asset management joint ventures to help resolve bad loans, expanding a framework previously limited to banks, according to rules published in the Royal Gazette. Applicants have two years to file, with each JV-AMC allowed to operate for up to 15 years. Initially deployed during the pandemic, the scheme has been extended to support ongoing debt workouts. Krungthai Bank plans to apply next year and expect

Franklin Templeton has launched Hong Kong’s first Luxembourg-registered tokenised fund, marking a milestone in the city’s Fintech 2030 blueprint. The Franklin OnChain US Government Money Fund, which invests in US government securities, will be offered to institutional and professional investors with at least HKD8m (USD1m) in assets. The initiative brings tokenisation—blockchain-based representations of traditional assets—into Hong Kong’s regulated wealth market, improving set

Hong Kong could overtake London as the world’s No.2 financial centre next year, according to GCM Grosvenor CEO Michael Sacks at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. He cited the city’s talent depth, international access, and rule of law as major strengths. Hermes Li of Aspex Management said Hong Kong should benefit as Chinese savers shift from property to equities and as more A-share tech firms pursue local IPOs, including CATL’s 2025 debut (stock code 3750). For

Hong Kong will leverage artificial intelligence to attract global investment, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. Highlighting the Hong Kong AI push, Chan cited WTO data showing that private capital in AI reached about USD190bn this year. The city will adopt a 'twin-engine' strategy—developing AI as a core industry while using it to upgrade traditional sectors. Government initiatives include direct investments, startup suppor

Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon warned that a market correction is likely, even as they remain positive on the overall cycle. Speaking at Hong Kong’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, they said equity indices could experience a 10–20% drawdown within 12–24 months. While the S&P 500 has risen more than 15% this year following steady gains since April, the executives noted that elevated technology valuations and the strong run in preci

The Singapore family office regulation 2025 update shows that 3% of around 1,300 applications for tax-exempt family offices were blocked over the past three years, while incentives were clawed back from two vehicles linked to the Prince Group, sanctioned by the UK and US for large-scale scams. Authorities said police seized more than SGD150m (USD110m) in assets, including properties and accounts. Singapore has tightened scrutiny after a SGD3bn money-laundering case in 2023 th

Wall Street Asia inflows are expected to rise as major global banks forecast renewed investor appetite for China, Hong Kong, Japan, and India, according to executives at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon signalled improving sentiment towards Chinese equities as international investors rotate back following the stabilisation of 2024 after the property slump. The three-day summit, attended by about 30

The Lioner Singapore expansion marks a major milestone for Lioner International Group, which has moved its Singapore operations to a larger office at One Raffles Place after tripling revenue in the first half of 2025. The Chinese wealth consortium, providing integrated insurance, trust, and family office services, said the relocation reflects growing demand from ultra-high- and high-net-worth clients for consolidated legacy and wealth-planning solutions. Operating across Hong

The Lumen, Aument merger 2025 combines Singapore-based independent wealth managers Lumen Capital Investors and Aument Capital Partners under the Lumen Capital Investors brand. Integration is 95% complete, with all staff based at Sing Land Tower. The merger blends Lumen’s family-office heritage with Aument’s digital and discretionary capabilities, delivering early gains in digital delivery, private-market access, and discretionary management. The enlarged platform targets high

APAC private credit 2027 is projected to reach USD92bn, up from USD59bn in 2024, reflecting a 16% annual growth rate, according to a report by AIMA/ACC, Simmons & Simmons, EY, and Broadridge. Growth is driven by institutional and high-net-worth investors seeking yield and exposure to semi-liquid private markets via platforms like Endowus. Wealth inflows and digital distribution are expanding across Asia, while Australia leads in new credit vehicles. Despite global fundraising

China financials 2025 are expected to outperform the broader market, with banks and insurers leading earnings upgrades, Bloomberg Intelligence data show. Forecast growth for Chinese financials in the MSCI EM Index stands at 3.2%, versus 1.7% for China equities overall. Insurers are driving the rally, led by China Life, which expects up to 70% profit growth for the first nine months, and Ping An, which rose 11%. Morgan Stanley forecasts sector Q3 net earnings up over 30% year

Hong Kong family offices 2025 are launching a USD100m Inspira fund to attract international investors under the government’s Family Office 2.0 initiative. Five family offices jointly established the closed-end vehicle, which will focus on private credit and income assets, said Cliff Ip of Wings Capital. The Inspira fund qualifies under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), which grants residency to those investing HKD30m (USD3.8m) in approved assets. Chief Executive J