AMTD Announced Strategic Acquisition of CapBridge Financial
AMTD Group and CapBridge Financial Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Global Digital Assets Exchange Platform; AMTD Digital Will Take Majority Stake in CapBridge Financial via “Fusion-in” Programme to Include It as a Key Ecosystem Partner in the AMTD SpiderNet.
- Strategic partnership benefits from the private market and digital assets exchange expertise of CapBridge Financial, and adds to the super eco-system building and technology strengths of AMTD Digital, the digital arm of AMTD Group, the parent company of AMTD International (NYSE.HKIB; SGX.HKB), Asia’s largest independent investment bank group;
- AMTD Digital’s controlling stake acquisition of CapBridge Financial, subject to approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is conducted via its unparalleled “fusion-in” programme, which comprises a share swap component and a cash component in a structure reflecting the strategic intent and clear vision to collaborate closely in becoming a leading force in the global digital asset sector;
15 June, Singapore – AMTD Digital, the integrated digital platform arm of Asia financial services focused conglomerate AMTD Group (“AMTD”), and CapBridge Financial (“CapBridge”), Singapore’s leading integrated private market ecosystem with a platform listing over US$2 billion of investable deals and Singapore’s first regulated securities exchange for private companies 1exchange, today announced a strategic partnership to expand the global digital assets exchange platform with financial centre Singapore as a key operations and growth hub. AMTD will also become a majority shareholder of CapBridge Financial via its unique “fusion-in” programme that includes a share swap and completely aligns the interest of shareholders both sides, subject to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s approval.
The partnership will combine the private market and digital assets exchange expertise of CapBridge Financial, and the supreme connectivity and inter-connected digital solutions platform strength of AMTD Digital. AMTD Group’s subsidiary AMTD International is dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:HKIB) and Singapore Exchange Mainboard (SGX-ST: HKB). With AMTD’s overall leadership and support, CapBridge will bring together private capital markets expertise and leading-edge financial technology such as blockchain and robo-advisory to further develop the global private markets and digital asset space from its Singapore headquarters.
Mr Calvin Choi, AMTD Group’s Chairman and CEO and AMTD Digital’s Chairman commented, “Singapore is an important hub for global FinTech community and its ongoing development. AMTD sees supreme potentials of CapBridge’s technological and commercial growth in the Southeast Asian digital asset space and beyond. By becoming the controlling shareholder of CapBridge, we are adding another valuable enterprise to our proprietary and unique AMTD SpiderNet ecosystem. Our broad experience, credentials and resource network in various new economy sectors will combine to provide unwavering support to CapBridge in its continued growth, injecting fresh momentum into Singapore, Hong Kong and the rest of Asia’s digital asset sector. CapBridge will significantly add to our strategy in serving Asian corporates across their different life stages, provide a complete value chain solutions to cover all stages of financing needs. I am very confident in Johnson’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills, and look forward to supporting him to unlock the full potential of the digital private markets globally.”
Mr Johnson Chen, founder and CEO of CapBridge, said, “The Capbridge private markets solution is designed to help growth companies, family owned businesses, as well as institutional and individual investors unlock value in a secure and efficient ecosystem. Being cloud native, CapBridge is entirely digital in our approach to capital raising as well as private equity investing. The current COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of digital facilitation and interconnectivity when it comes to accessing institutional-grade opportunities. We look forward to combining CapBridge’s offerings with AMTD’s resources and network, digital financial services licenses and institutional investors network to create even more vibrancy and value in Singapore, regional, and global private markets.”
The CapBridge Financial private markets solution helps companies and investors unlock value via a uniquely integrated primary syndication and secondary trading approach. Based in global leading financial centre Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”), CapBridge Financial holds a Capital Markets Services Licence through its primary online syndication platform, and the Recognised Market Operator Licence through Singapore’s first regulated private securities exchange, the blockchain-based 1exchange (“1X”).
This controlling stake into CapBridge demonstrates AMTD’s commitment to building a Singapore-centric Asian FinTech platform to expand and span across Southeast Asia, connecting the ASEAN markets with the Greater Bay Area and the rest of China. With Singapore as its headquarter base, AMTD Digital is progressively expanding to other economies across Southeast Asia. Its wide-open, multi-dimensional strategic partnership and powerful ecosystem AMTD SpiderNet comprises its clients, shareholders, business partners, industry associations, academic institutions, and investee companies in an inter-connected network that creates value for all stakeholders.
This transaction is subject to approval from the MAS and closing conditions. Upon completion, CapBridge will join the AMTD ecosystem as a subject matter champion to develop and expand in the global digital asset exchange sector. AMTD will significantly strengthen CapBridge’s deal sourcing, product innovation, customer acquisition, investor servicing capability, as well as research and data intelligence capabilities, leveraging on AMTD’s powerful SpiderNet ecosystem, and supported by AMTD International (NYSE.HKIB; SGX.HKB), AMTD Group’s market leading investment banking and asset management arm.
CapBridge recently announced investments by Singapore government-owned SGInnovate and Hong Kong SAR government-owned Cyberport, marking the next phase of public-private partnerships for the private markets group.
AMTD Digital is the integrated digital platform arm of AMTD Group, covering four segments including digital financial services, digital media marketing and data intelligence, digital connectors and ecosystem, and digital investments. AMTD Digital strives to build a one-stop, cross-market, comprehensive digital financial services platform to serve Asian customers and fast-growing enterprises, integrating digital banking, digital insurance, digital asset exchange, e-payment / remittance, and other digital licensed businesses in Asia.
As the central core engine for AMTD SpiderNet, AMTD Digital plays an important and core driving role, through resources matching and empowerment. The Company helps different clients solve their pain points and problems in business development and internationalisation in all dimensions, provides customised digital solutions for the enterprises to achieve breakthrough in the digital age.
In 2019, AMTD together with Xiaomi established Airstar Bank, which holds one of the only eight virtual banking licenses issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and. Airstar Bank has officially launched full operations and businesses in Hong Kong earlier this month. In January this year, AMTD has also announced a partnership with SP Group, Xiaomi, and Funding Societies to jointly apply for a Singapore digital wholesale banking license. AMTD Digital recently completed the acquisition of controlling stake in PolicyPal, Singapore’s InsurTech leader and the first graduate from MAS’s FinTech Sandbox.
AMTD Group is Asia’s leading comprehensive financial service conglomerate in Asia, with businesses in financial services areas to include investment banking, institutional asset management, digital banking, digital insurance and risk solutions, etc. and non-financial services areas to include real estate investment and hospitality, education, digital media marketing and data intelligence services, and digital investments.
AMTD International (NYSE: HKIB; SGX: HKB), a subsidiary of AMTD Group and dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, is the No.1 independent investment bank in Asia, one of Asia’s largest independent asset management companies, and a leading investment house in the financial and new economy sectors.
AMTD Group also has diversified businesses in real estate investment, hospitality, and education areas. In particular, AMTD Assets Alpha Group acquired Singapore's landmark building from OUE and renamed it as Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore.
Visit www.amtdgroup.com for more information.
CapBridge Financial (“CapBridge”) provides private markets solutions that help companies and investors unlock value via a uniquely integrated primary syndication and secondary trading approach. Based in global financial hub Singapore, CapBridge is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The CapBridge primary online syndication platform holds a Capital Markets Services Licence (CMSL), while Singapore’s first regulated private securities exchange, 1exchange (1X) holds a Recognised Market Operator licence to facilitate secondary trading.
CapBridge works with late-stage growth or pre-IPO private companies seeking growth or expansion capital. The online platform intelligently seeks and matches companies with private capital and facilitates the entire capital raising process with technology. Private investors on CapBridge gain access to institutional grade private opportunities, previously limited to large institutional investors. CapBridge also deploys the lead and co-lead business model to ensure institutional grade transactions. Visit www.capbridge.sg for more information.
CapBridge also owns Singapore’s first regulated private securities exchange 1exchange (“1X”). Widely regarded as the third board in Singapore, 1X is a “light- touch” and cost-effective private exchange designed specifically for family owned businesses, growth and pre-IPO businesses. With market-oriented solutions such as direct private listings and employee share option and trading, 1X provides growth companies, founders, and business owners options for partial exits while retaining control. Private equity investors on 1X can securely and freely trade in and out of their private positions to achieve liquidity anytime, anywhere. Visit www.1x.exchange for more information.
Singapore Exchange (SGX) is a strategic partner and shareholder of CapBridge. Key investors in CapBridge include South Korea-based Hanwha Investment and Securities Co., Singapore government-owned SGInnovate, and HKSAR government- backed Hong Kong Cyberport. CapBridge partners include regional banks such as CIMB (Malaysia), UOB (Singapore), financial groups such as Hana Financial Group (Korea), as well as professional services firms such as Deloitte, Dunn & Bradstreet, and Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau.
