38 Asian Legal Business | February 2025 Alternative approaches 另辟蹊径：多元化的离岸投资 With interest rates dropping and stubborn inflation around the world, investors are looking past traditional stocks and bonds and using offshore investment strategies to build varied portfolios that include alternatives like private equity, real estate, hedge funds and cryptocurrencies – all in search of better returns in tough market conditions. The approaches to offshore investing are also shifting amid heightened regulatory scrutiny. The US government has tightened up on offshore tax evasion through the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which requires American citizens to report any money they have abroad. Meanwhile, international bodies – including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) – are pressing banks to be more transparent about their foreign clients. Despite all this, emerging markets in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia are gaining significant traction and attracting investors. The Cayman Islands Stock Exchange (CSX), for example, has benefitted from a surge in interest from investment funds wanting to list there. That exchange was the preferred listing venue for 95% of all Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) launched in 2024, up from 33 percent in 2020. Offshore law firm Ogier says it has been tracking these developments and recalibrating its strategy accordingly. “We’ve been focused on adapting our services to meet the growing interest in alternative investments across Asia, including growing our teams to bring a diversity of skill sets,” says Kate Hodson, partner and head of ESG (Legal) at Ogier. “Our strategy has been to integrate dedicated, multi-disciplinary sector teams, which allows us to provide specialized and comprehensive support to our clients.” Offshore The growing complexity of alternative investment structures demands coordinated legal support across global markets. Ogier has stationed its experts in key financial hubs – including Hong Kong, BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Ireland, Jersey and Luxembourg – to handle complex cross-border deals. “This geographic spread means we have experts on the ground who are well-versed in local regulations,” says Hodson. “Regulatory requirements can be dense and difficult to understand, so we ensure that our advice is to the point The quest for yield in today’s challenging market environment is pushing investors toward more diverse offshore investment strategies. By Asian Legal Business 在当前充满挑战的市场环境中，投资者为追求高收益，正转向更多元的离岸投资策略。 撰文：亚洲法律杂志
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