Financial hubs are bridges to prosperity. Here’s why in World Economy News 23/01/2026 The global capital order is changing. Geopolitical uncertainty, macroeconomic volatility and technological disruption are reshaping markets, redefining how and where capital is deployed. These changes pose both threats and opportunities for financial hubs. To thrive amid uncertainty and seize new possibilities for prosperity, they must evolve – and I see three interdependent areas as crucial to achieving this goal. First, through closer connectivity that counters fragmentation by linking markets and participants more seamlessly, ensuring capital can flow even amid geopolitical divides. Second, by building more responsive infrastructure that manages the volatility and technological disruption by enabling faster adaptation to new instruments, innovations and behaviours. And third, with ever-more robust governance to build the trust and stability that are essential when uncertainty and rapid technological advances threaten confidence in global systems. By taking action across all three areas, financial hubs can better align with the forces reshaping the world economy, turn disruption into opportunity and shape global prosperity for decades to come. Driving connection The world needs more connectivity, not less, and in an era of uncertainty and geopolitical change, financial hubs’ ability to forge connections will determine their relevance and leadership in shaping a resilient and prosperous global economy. Companies, investors and stakeholders are having to adapt to an increasingly multipolar world order by seeking new ways to diversify and manage risk. Financial hubs are the bridges that make this possible, enabling capital to flow despite fragmentation and facilitating the development of multi-asset product ecosystems that create a broader set of investment opportunities. Connected, vibrant financial hubs can also serve as the conduits that empower companies to scale beyond their home markets. By linking businesses to international capital pools and new partners, financial hubs can help firms navigate volatility and compete on the world stage. As global capital seeks new opportunities and solutions in a fragmented world, financial hubs must work together – collaborating with peer exchanges, developing new products and refining market structures – to deepen cross-border connectivity. Hong Kong is doing exactly that: forging partnerships, enhancing our listing regimes and connecting global capital with the Chinese Mainland’s fast-growing investor base and creating a vibrant hub for fundraising, trading and risk management. Strengthening infrastructure But a financial hub’s global connectivity is only as strong as the market structure that supports it. Investor behaviour is evolving at speed as technology lowers barriers and democratises access to markets. Digital platforms, real-time data and algorithmic instruments have empowered retail and ‘protail’ investors to act with speed and sophistication. At the same time, exchanges face the challenge of disintermediation as blockchain tools and AI-driven platforms change the way markets operate. These innovations challenge traditional systems, compelling exchanges and the financial hubs that house them to pursue operational and technology excellence. In this context, financial hubs cannot stand still; they must embrace continuous enhancement, not as a one-off upgrade but as a mindset. By investing in robust, ad