The regions remains the fastest growing and we expect this momentum to continue. In this article, we explore three themes we have seen in these markets, which we will continue to monitor throughout 2026.
Alternative fund distribution to private wealth in Asia and the Middle East
The alternative fund distribution landscape across Asia and the Middle East has seen significant activity in the first half of 2026. Over the past year, clients in Asia and the Middle East have represented 57% of subscriptions into alternative funds on Euroclear FundsPlace®.
Wealth clients increasingly favour diversified, curated exposures over single fund allocations. Multi-manager structures offer simplified access to institutional quality portfolios.
This is visible in recent market offerings.
- Endowus’ Private Infrastructure Portfolio combines top-tier managers like Ardian, EQT, KKR and Macquarie into a single solution.
- DBS Private Bank’s Private Assets Tailored by Hamilton Lane (PATH) platform, developed with Hamilton Lane, enables clients to construct customised portfolios across multiple private market funds, replicating an institutional multi-manager approach within a private wealth wrapper.
The shift away from fly-in, fly-out models is now well-established with physical proximity becoming a necessity for relationship-driven mandate allocation. As a result, many global managers are rethinking their geographic footprints.
In the Middle East, heavyweights like HarbourVest, Partners Group, Blue Owl and General Atlantic have established dedicated regional offices over the past 18 months to anchor local relationships. Euroclear has a long-term commitment to the region, having established it’s Dubai office in 2011 and continuing to expand its regional presence today.
In Asia, expansion is increasingly centred on building local operational depth, with a clear preference for regionally delivered servicing models over reliance on global hubs. Euroclear leverages its established operations centres in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to provide responsive, on-the-ground support for a growing Asian client base and we expect this approach to be extended more broadly as client demand for proximity, speed and local market understanding continues to increase.
Product innovation is adapting to the liquidity and access needs of private wealth, particularly through evergreen and hybrid structures.
Blended public-private strategies, led by the US, are now extending to EMEA and Asia. The Capital Group-KKR launch is an early example, built on a 60/40 allocation between public and private credit within a single fund. The structure aims to balance liquidity from public markets with private market returns. Still nascent, these models reflect early efforts to make private markets more compatible with wealth portfolios.
In parallel, new access models are expanding beyond funds. Initiatives such as DBS’ Private Assets Club and Standard Chartered’s co-investment platform give Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) clients access to direct deals alongside funds, mirroring more established US practices and growing demand for greater control over allocations.
Ultimately, these trends point to a private wealth landscape that is becoming more institutional, more local and more tailored. How will these regional dynamics impact your distribution roadmap for the rest of the year?
Get in touch with us to discover how Euroclear FundsPlace can support your localised structures and help you scale seamlessly across Asia and the Middle East.
