Business News

Singapore, March 2, 2026 – HSBC has announced the appointment of two senior executives in Singapore to enhance its proposition for the China-ASEAN corridor and support the bank’s growing cross-border client base. Ying Wang has been appointed Head of Distribution, International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB), reporting to Ashmita Acharya, Head of IWPB – Singapore. […]

Singapore — Lumen Capital Investors (LCI) has opened new offices at CapitaGreen in Singapore’s central business district, marking a milestone following its merger with the Family Office and Wealth Management division of Aument Capital Group (ACG). The move reflects the firm’s expansion over the past 15 years and the integration of ACG’s team into LCI. […]

Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), today announced a strategic partnership with Obside to introduce the AI Trading Arena to Bitget’s platform through exclusive copy trading integration on Bitget Futures. Developed by Obside, the AI Trading Arena is a live trading environment where advanced artificial intelligence models autonomously execute trades in real market conditions […]

Financial institutions are accelerating the move from experimentation to scaled execution in generative artificial intelligence, with a growing number reporting measurable business benefits, according to the sixth annual “2026 Digital Transformation & Next-Gen Technology Study” released by Broadridge Financial Solutions. The study found that 80% of firms are now using generative or predictive AI in […]

STS Digital has closed a $30 million strategic funding round led by CMT Digital, with participation from Payward, Strobe Ventures, Arrington Capital, F-Prime and BitRock Capital. The company said the funds will be used to expand its institutional spot and options trading platform, increase market-making capacity, and strengthen its balance sheet and liquidity. STS Digital […]

Hong Kong, 26 February 2026 — The Hong Kong government today unveiled its 2026–2027 budget, introducing a series of measures aimed at strengthening the city’s position as a leading international financial centre. The budget focuses on enhancing capital markets, promoting asset and wealth management, supporting digital asset development, and expanding opportunities in offshore renminbi (RMB) […]

Singapore, 26 February 2026 — Bank of Singapore (BOS), the private banking arm of OCBC, has appointed Eng Chien Chan as Market Group Head for Greater China, effective 17 March 2026. Based in Singapore, Eng Chien Chan will report to Rickie Chan, Greater China Head of Private Banking and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong […]

Singapore, 26 February 2026 — ICON1C has raised S$10 million from its stakeholders and members to accelerate expansion and acquisitions across the global premium experience sector. Founded in early 2025, ICON1C is a profitable investment and operating platform focused on building businesses in live events, hospitality, private members’ clubs, wellness, and experiential lifestyle. Its portfolio […]

Global Cryptocurrency Ownership Hits 741 Million, Driven by Ethereum Growth and U.S. Pro-Crypto Policies

New virtual agent capabilities reduce customer effort, prevent repeat contacts, and give service leaders confidence to scale automation

Toronto / Mumbai – 24 February 2026 – Manulife has named Suresh Agarwal as managing director and chief executive officer designate of its proposed life insurance joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra, subject to regulatory approvals. Agarwal will assume the role on 1 May 2026. He currently serves as managing director and CEO of Mahindra […]

Asia Pacific Strengthening Leadership to Accelerate Expansion Across Asia's Live Entertainment Market

Citigroup (Citi) has launched a new Korea Desk in Chicago to expand its support for Korean corporate clients operating in North America. The Chicago desk strengthens Citi’s on-the-ground coverage in the United States and complements its existing Korea Desk in New York, which was established in 1993. Citi also operates Korea desks in London, Prague, […]

Sydney-headquartered insurer QBE Insurance Group has appointed Carles Tondo as head of property for Asia, strengthening its regional leadership team as it looks to grow its property portfolio across key markets. Based in Singapore, Tondo will report to Stephen Geisler, CEO of South Asia. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving the […]

Zurich Insurance Group today announced record financial results for its Asia Pacific business for the year ended 31 December 2025, reflecting strong growth across all major segments and continued momentum in key markets. In 2025, Zurich’s Asia Pacific operations achieved a business operating profit (BOP) of USD 633 million, up 8 % year-on-year, marking the […]

The new capital has been raised through the firm's India Seed, India Venture, and APAC funds.

The private markets division of Schroders Capital has appointed Sabrina Meng as head of business development for Asia, effective March 2. Based in Hong Kong, Meng will report to Ingo Heinen, global head of business development at Schroders Capital, and will join the Asia Client Group Executive Committee. Meng will oversee business development and sales […]

Red Packet 2026: Galloping Into the Year of the Horse

Foundation Healthcare (Specialists) Pte. Ltd., Singapore’s largest private multi-specialty group, has entered a research and clinical collaboration with AMILI Pte. Ltd., Southeast Asia’s first gut microbiome transplant bank. The partnership will focus on advancing the clinical applications of microbiome science and conducting joint research in microbiome medicine. Foundation Healthcare will introduce gut health testing at […]

Fortude has earned the Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions designation, expanding its Microsoft cloud credentials and capabilities in enterprise cloud transformation. The designation, awarded by Microsoft, recognizes partners that demonstrate experience in designing, deploying, and managing Azure infrastructure aligned with enterprise requirements. The latest recognition adds to Fortude’s existing Microsoft credentials, including the Analytics on Microsoft […]

Dmitry Shubov Consulting announced that new electronic notarization rules issued by the Philippine Supreme Court will affect Southeast Asian startups preparing documents for U.S. transactions. The Court’s A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC establishes a regulatory framework for electronic notarization in the Philippines. The rules recognize accredited in-person Electronic Notarization Facilities (ENFs), Remote Electronic Notarization Providers (ENPs) using […]

Singapore-headquartered multi-family office WRISE Group has expanded its presence in Asia with the launch of a new client service center in Taipei, Taiwan. The center will offer client advisory and consultation services, alongside family wealth-focused educational and engagement initiatives designed to foster long-term perspectives and encourage next-generation dialogue. The Taipei center will be led by […]

Bank of Singapore, the private banking division of Oversea‑Chinese Banking Corporation, has appointed Bernard Heng as Head of Customised Solutions, effective 2 March 2026. The move is intended to bolster the bank’s capabilities in bespoke investment and alternative product solutions for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients. In his new role, Heng will report to Lim Leong Guan, […]

Singapore-based AI-native company secures backing from global multi-stage venture capital firm Lightspeed to elevate APAC's enterprise customer engagement

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today announced the expansion of its Equity Market Development Program (EQDP) from S$5 billion to S$6.5 billion, following a top-up to the Financial Sector Development Fund unveiled in the national Budget statement. The additional funding was announced by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong as part of […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage in Singapore’s 2026 Budget, with the government announcing a comprehensive national strategy to harness AI as a competitive advantage and accelerate transformation across key sectors, including finance. Delivering the Budget statement, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong unveiled a new set of national “AI Missions” focused on […]

Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng expressed confidence in the long-term outlook for digital assets, emphasizing sustained institutional engagement despite recent market volatility, during a fireside chat at Consensus Hong Kong 2026. Since peaking in October 2025, cryptocurrency markets have experienced a significant correction, with approximately $2 trillion in value erased and Bitcoin trading below $70,000 at […]

Barclays today announced the appointment of Werner Schlossmacher as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Barclays Private Bank Asia. Based in Singapore, he will report to Leo Müller, COO of Barclays Private Bank & Wealth Management. Schlossmacher brings more than 30 years of wealth management experience across Singapore, Hong Kong and Switzerland. He joins Barclays from […]

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has appointed Salim Zaman as Global Head of Foreign Exchange, based in Singapore. Zaman will continue in his current role as Co-Head of Global Markets and Treasury for Asia Pacific. In his expanded position, he will oversee SMBC’s global FX strategy and work with regional leadership teams on the management […]

Securities and Futures Commission Chief Executive Officer Julia Leung said financial institutions must accelerate their adoption of digital assets and emerging technologies to remain competitive as younger investors increasingly dominate the market. Speaking at Consensus Hong Kong 2026, Leung said second- and third-generation investors, including Generation Z, are changing how financial services are consumed. She […]