The asset servicing industry in Asia-Pacific has entered a new, dynamic phase, defined by rapid digital transformation, the rise of sustainable finance, infrastructure and technology-driven growth, and deepening capital market integration.

Against a backdrop of robust wealth expansion, AI-powered investments, tokenization pilots, and evolving regulatory frameworks, leading financial institutions have delivered innovative solutions that address client demands for efficiency, security, sustainability, and scalability.

The most outstanding mandates in the region in 2025 exemplify these market shifts, positioning custodians, trustees, and administrators at the forefront of the region’s financial evolution.

Corporate trust mandates reflect the surge in large-scale infrastructure, data centres, and cross-border financing.

Infrastructure boom

Deals such as Blackstone’s significant risk transfer for Australian infrastructure loans, New World Development’s US$11 billion refinancing, and sustainability-linked financing tied to digital infrastructure and infrastructure development projects underscore the region’s infrastructure boom and focus on sustainability-aligned lending.

These transactions highlight corporate trustees’ critical role in managing complex, high-value structures amid rising demand for green and transition finance.

Custody and fund services demonstrate strong momentum in both traditional and digital assets.

Winners like Standard Chartered (supporting ChinaAMC’s HKD Digital Money Market Fund and FWD’s operations in the region), DBS’ tokenized structured notes on a public blockchain, and CITIC Securities’ ETF custody for Penghua’s sci-tech innovation bond index illustrate the convergence of innovation and scale.

Digital custody, in particular, has accelerated as institutions embrace tokenization for efficiency, 24/7 settlement, and new collateral uses – trends that are sweeping Singapore, Hong Kong, and beyond.

Depositary receipt mandates, including BNY’s landmark US IPO DR for Chagee Holdings and Citi’s record GDR for Wistron, signal renewed cross-border capital flows and investor appetite for Asian issuers.

Escrow, fund accounting (alternatives and mutual funds), securities lending (OCBC with Citi), and subcustody mandates display specialized expertise in private markets, renewables, and technology – areas experiencing heightened activity amid geopolitical realignments and wealth growth.

Creating new trends

Collectively, these mandates showcase how asset service providers are navigating and shaping 2025–2026 trends: from blockchain-enabled digital assets and ETF innovation to sustainable infrastructure and alternatives expansion.

They deliver not only operational excellence but also strategic value, helping clients capitalize on Asia-Pacific’s position as a global growth engine.

As the industry moves toward greater automation, tokenization, and cross-border connectivity, these partnerships set the benchmark for future success.

It is in this context that we announce the winners of The Asset Triple A Mandates of the Year, under The Asset Triple A Sustainable Investing Awards for Institutional Investor, ETF, and Asset Servicing Providers 2026.

To view the full list of winners this year, please click here.

To learn more about these awards, please go here.

To join the in-person annual celebratory dinner in Hong Kong on June 30, 2026, please contact us at celebrate@theasset.com.