Capital markets

Asia continues to grow as a hub for capital markets. Home to many emerging economies with high growth potential, the pace of innovation shows no signs of letting up and some international businesses are looking to relocate – particularly to Singapore and Hong Kong.

Singapore

In Singapore, capital markets entities (such as fund managers, broker-dealers, corporate finance advisers, securities-based crowdfunding operators), markets and exchanges, clearing houses and trade repositories are licenced and governed under the Securities and Futures Act administered by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Other entities such as trust companies and financial advisers are licenced and governed under the Trust Companies Act and Financial Advisers Act respectively, administered by the MAS.

In the past decade we have seen multi-fold growth in the number of entities being licenced by the MAS. Many of these entities in Singapore continually raise the bar to create more efficient and accessible capital markets through the offer of digital securities, multi-asset class risk management products, and fully digital, automated execution platforms.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is responsible for licensing and supervising market participants such as brokers, investment advisers and fund managers.  It also supervises market operators including exchanges, automated trading services and clearing houses.

The number of licensees and registrants continues to grow at a rate of around 20% over the past decade, with notably more enquiries on cryptocurrency business from capital market participants in relation to dealing with and operating as crypto exchanges.

We help capital markets businesses of all shapes and sizes

We provide advice to a diverse and international client base, spanning fund managers, brokers, market operators and exempt capital markets services entities.

Targeted support for early-stage organisations

We can help you understand your regulatory obligations and obtain the relevant licence or exemption. If you’re a newly licenced firm, we will advise on efficient ways to remain compliant.

Singapore - MAS licencing

Hong Kong - SFC licencing

Ongoing advice and in-depth reviews for mature businesses

We work with some of the longest-established names in the industry, providing in-depth reviews of compliance arrangements in the form of health checks, assurance reviews and regulatory due diligence. We aim to form long-term partnerships: many of our clients have worked with us for five years or more.

Help with all your regulatory compliance needs

Bovill Newgate has an unrivalled breadth and depth of expertise across all aspects of today’s regulatory regime. Our team includes dedicated specialists for governance, client assets, best execution, market abuse, financial crime (AML/CFT), transaction reporting, exchange rules, derivatives trading and clearing and benchmark administration.