Asia’s regulatory frameworks in tokenization are attracting global investors, with Japan and Hong Kong setting the pace for real-world asset adoption. Asia’s leadership in tokenization is drawing growing attention from global investors, with regulatory clarity in the region attracting capital that was once on the sidelines, according to Maarten Henskens, head of protocol growth at Startale Group. “We’re seeing Western institutions set up Asia-Pacific operations not just to follow capital, but to participate in innovation,” he told Cointelegraph. Henskens pointed out the distinct yet complementary approaches taken by Japan and Hong Kong to advance real-world asset (RWA) adoption. Japan’s regulatory framework has been deliberate and forward-looking, establishing a strong foundation of institutional trust. “MUFG’s infrastructure for security token issuance is a good example of how the ecosystem is maturing,” he noted. Read more
Banking giant UBS says its high-net-worth clients in Asia are pivoting from US dollar assets toward gold, crypto and Chinese markets. High-net-worth clients across Asia are gradually pivoting away from US dollar-based investments, favoring gold, cryptocurrencies and Chinese assets instead, according to financial services giant UBS Group. “Gold is getting very popular,” Amy Lo, the Swiss bank’s co-head of wealth management for Asia, said during Bloomberg’s New Voices event held in Hong Kong on May 13. She cited rising geopolitical uncertainty and persistent market volatility as primary factors behind the shift. Investors, traditionally concentrated in US-centric assets, are now seeking broader exposure across alternative asset classes, including crypto, commodities and other currencies. Read more