Pramoth Rajendran

Vietnam’s long-delayed KRX trading system finally went live in May 2025, ushering in the most significant overhaul of the country’s market infrastructure in decades. The upgrade is more than a technology refresh: it is designed to remove structural barriers that have limited foreign participation, improve transparency and efficiency, and pave the way for an upgrade from frontier to emerging market status. For UHNW investors and the private banks that serve them, KRX could mark a turning point.

In a region brimming with economic transformation stories, Vietnam is standing out. Fueled by structural reforms, youthful demographics, resilient exports, and a government committed to infrastructure-led growth, Vietnam is transitioning from a frontier economy to an emerging powerhouse. As it aims to attain developed-market status by 2045 under its “Doi Moi 2.0” program, Vietnam is now firmly on the radar for wealth managers, family offices, and private banks advising HNW clients in Asia.

The opening panel of the Hubbis Digital Assets Forum in Dubai on November 13 provided a valuable scene setting amongst experts who explored the UAE’s emerging role as a global hub for digital assets. This foundational discussion examined how the UAE’s strategic efforts in regulation, innovation, and financial sector ecosystem development are helping to pave the way for the expansion of the blockchain, tokenisation, and greater cryptocurrency adoption.