HSBC Holdings just introduced its metaverse fund for its Asian clients. Based on the report, this new portfolio was also created to entice its wealthy clients in Asia.
According to Reuters, HSBC launched the virtual world fund to attract and seize investment opportunities in the metaverse for its moneyed clientele in Singapore and Hong Kong. The company is making this move as more and more financial services companies tap into the new virtual reality business.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited said on Wednesday, April 6, that its Metaverse Discretionary Strategy portfolio would center on investing in the metaverse ecosystem in five divisions, including computing, virtualization, infrastructure, discovery, interface, and experience. HSBC's metaverse fund will be managed by its asset management unit.
"The metaverse ecosystem, while still at its early stage, is rapidly evolving," HSBC Asia Pacific's regional head of discretionary and funds for investments and wealth solutions, Lina Lim, said in a statement. "We see many exciting opportunities in this space as companies of different backgrounds and sizes are flocking into the ecosystem."
HSBC mentioned that its Metaverse discretionary portfolio was specifically designed for two groups which are the high net worth and ultra-high net worth professional investors and accredited investor clienteles in SG and HK. Moreover, the company is investing about $3.5 billion into its wealth and personal banking unit in line with its goal to be the top wealth manager in Asia by 2025.
The bank's Metaverse Discretionary Strategy aims to haul many opportunities that will open as the next iteration of the internet develops. HSBC wants to grab its chance and invest in the virtual world as this line of business is also growing fast today.
Finally, CoinTelegraph reported that HSBC Asset Management in London's portfolio manager, Nicholas Dowell, noted that the idea of the metaverse is crucial for the company as a major landmark of the evolution of the internet. "The metaverse is seen by many as the next stage in the evolution of the internet, with the effect it has on our daily lives expected to be as impactful as we saw in the early nineties," the manager explained.