HSBC just published “Global Wealth Hubs: Drivers of Diversification 2025” studying how the wealthiest individuals are accelerating their diversification strategies.
We delve into how this is reshaping global wealth management and what it means for industry practitioners over the next 12 months..
If you’re advising high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), you already know that asset protection, cross-border structuring, and mobility planning are no longer just important; they are essential. HSBC’s Global Wealth Hubs Report 2025 gives us hard data on just how aggressively these shifts are taking place.
Entrepreneurs and investors chasing security and stablity
Geopolitical fragmentation, economic nationalism, and protectionist policies have led many governments to look inward. Yet, paradoxically, the world’s wealthiest are doing the opposite. HSBC’s research reveals that
- 69% of entrepreneurs are moving wealth to new jurisdictions
- 73% are expanding their business operations internationally, and
- 55% are physically relocating.
This isn’t just a defensive play—it’s a proactive, strategic shift toward securing access to opportunity, stability, and tax efficiency.
One of the primary drivers is the growing independence of economic cycles. Traditionally, major economies have been closely correlated, but we’re now seeing greater divergence. This creates fresh opportunities for investors who understand how to position themselves across multiple markets.
At the same time, thematic investing is on the rise—whether it’s AI, fintech, biotech, or renewables, the smartest capital is following innovation wherever it emerges.
Elastic wealth : leveraging multiple wealth hubs
Diversifying across asset classes, sectors, and geographies has always been a cornerstone of wealth management, but today’s most affluent investors are taking it further by leveraging multiple wealth hubs.
Instead of concentrating their wealth in a single jurisdiction, they are spreading their assets across various countries to optimize their tax and most importantly to ensure resilience against regional economic fluctuations.
Asian financial centres are seeing rapid inflows in tandem with rising regional affluence. Singapore has become a leading jurisdiction for family offices and next-gen entrepreneurs. Hong Kong has continued to act as a capital bride for funds between China and international markets – despite local political upheavals.
European wealth hubs such as Switzerland continue to be the go-to for wealth preservation and discretionary asset management. While the UK has drawn in significant inbound investment from developing millionaire hubs, despite recent changes to its non-dom tax rules.
The reality is that every major wealth hub is growing in assets under management (AUM), reinforcing the globalized nature of wealth mobility. Entrepreneurs are not pulling back; they are doubling down on international opportunities, even as governments adopt more protectionist economic policies.
For those investment migration, tax structuring, and private banking, these trends demand thinking beyond the single-jurisdiction solution. UHNWIs are assembling portfolios of residencies, financial bases, and investment platforms. The question isn’t just which jurisdiction is best—it’s how to construct a resilient global strategy that adapts to evolving economic conditions.
Wealth diversification is accelerating
Global diversification isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating. Whether you’re structuring trusts, advising on investment visas, or handling cross-border estate planning, the key takeaway from this HSBC report is that flexibility is now a non-negotiable part of wealth planning.
The most forward-thinking investors are making moves now to ensure their wealth remains protected and mobile in the years ahead. For advisors, the challenge isn’t just keeping up—it’s staying ahead, anticipating shifts, and delivering strategies that keep clients ahead of the curve.
