Chinese transactions are benefitting from a booming IPO market in Hong Kong, which is driving Asia growth from a low base.

Hong Kong's finance chief discussed opportunities in the Northern Metropolis, developing AI, foreign tech firms entering the SAR, green finance, and China's evolving role in supply chains.

Coller Capital is a global secondaries firm with around $50bn in AUM and six Apac offices. EQT's CEO believes Coller's business can double in size in under four years; the PE giant is paying up to $3.7bn. In Japan, EQT has launched a bid for Mamezo.

Philip Lee has joined the global law firm from DLA Piper's financial services practice with a team of three.

The digital bank, which has operations in China, Hong Kong and Indonesia, is looking at M&A opportunities and developing artificial intelligence agents, with the debt and equity fundraise.

Hyundai-backed Sylvan Group is partnering with SK Innovation to invest $300m to scale a hydrogen transport business in South Korea; the plan is to support 6,000 buses by 2029.

Global regulators are seeing a convergence of digital-asset standards, even as differences in pace and risk culture persist. Speakers at the Singapore Fintech Festival said responsible innovation, is becoming the organising principle for harmonisation.

Aviation finance partner Leo Fattorini has brought a six-person aviation team from Bird & Bird, while Jason Chan joins in Hong Kong.

In a positive year for the region's banks, 2025 ECM fees in Apac, ex Japan, were up 45% from 2024, DCM fees saw 11% growth, amid a record year for bonds, while M&A advisory fees climbed 43%.

Amid a trade slowdown, IPOs, the issuance of convertible bonds, and cross-border M&A, including in the Middle East, are set to continue.