Over 150 people have been killed after a fire broke out at seven under renovation apartment blocks in Tai Po; China Taiping Insurance (Hong Kong) is a lead insurer of the construction site; many firms have offered donations to support those affected.

Ruminant Biotech, a New Zealand-based tech business looking to reduce methane emissions from pasture-based livestock, has raised around $9.5m in a Series A fundraising.

The FSDC's current director and head of policy research will start in February 2026 for a three-year term.

Banks and payment giants at the Singapore FinTech Festival warned about deepfakes, cyberattacks, and AI-driven fraud even as they push aggressively into agentic AI and design their firms around AI-native operating models. With risks rising, leaders said 2026 will force a balance between ambition and safeguards.

HKEX to welcome Middle Eastern issuer soon, while Xiaomi hopes to bring its EV products to Europe.

China’s new five-year plan for 2026–2030 marks a decisive policy shift, placing domestic consumption and reform at the core of its growth strategy.

Emerging markets are fuelling the rise of stablecoins. New regulations mean that more institutions are tapping greater distribution that could reshape global finance, including in Apac.

Investments and efforts to support female progression are needed across the financial sector, according to a report from the Women Chief Executive Network and KPMG.

Beijing is encouraging A-share listed firms to list in Hong Kong, while Trump’s policies are turning some US-listed Chinese companies to also go public on HKEX. The IPO momentum is continuing with four firms listing on October 28 in the SAR.

In an opinion piece, Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) chairman Jesmond Gatt, shares his views on how Apac's financial community can work closer together with Malta, including across digital assets, insurance and family offices.