Strong secular tailwinds drive investors’ interest in the region’s sector

SINGAPORE, July 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CapitaLand Investment (CLI) has launched its latest research paper on investment strategies for Asia Pacific’s (APAC) data centre (DC) industry as part of its ‘Perspectives’ research series.  Leveraging insights from CLI’s expertise on the ground, the research paper highlights the demand drivers behind the rapid growth of DCs in the region and strategic investment considerations for investors. The paper also includes a case study on navigating India’s DC sector.

Ms Michelle Lee, CLI’s Managing Director, Private Funds (Data Centre), said: “Digitalisation is a global mega trend driving the growth of data centres. With the DC sector’s strong secular tailwinds, 97% of institutional investors plan to increase their capital allocation into the sector¹, particularly in Asia Pacific. As DCs are more resilient, allocation to this asset class can be an integral part of investors’ portfolio diversification strategy.”

“CLI has accelerated our growth in the DC sector, adding 22 DCs since 2021. Today, we have 27 DCs with about US$4.5 billion assets under management and more than 800 megawatts (MW) in gross power across eight countries globally².  CLI has vertically integrated DC capabilities spanning across design, development, sales, and operations. With DC domain capabilities, combined with our deep market knowledge, deal-sourcing and investment network in Asia, we are well-positioned to partner with investors to tap into the wealth of opportunities in the sector,” added Ms Lee.

APAC as a strong growth market

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While cloud computing has been the primary driver for DC demand, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is now fuelling a more explosive growth. The revolution in the scale at which data is being used and managed is fundamentally a global phenomenon, but nowhere is it unfolding as rapidly as in APAC markets. On population per MW basis, APAC markets are underserved compared to regions such as EMEA and North America³.

APAC economies are not only growing faster, the region’s enormous population and swelling internet user base also cement its status as a highly attractive destination for DC investment. Its internet user base has grown seven-fold since 2005, compared to the growth of 1.9 times in the Americas and 1.8 times in Europe over the same period⁴. Going forward, APAC markets should continue to lead, as internet adoption further increases given the lower penetration rates in the region.

DC transactions in APAC rose about 2.4 times to approximately US$22 billion from 2019 to 2023, compared to the preceding five years, even as markets generally stagnated during the COVID-19 pandemic⁵.

While hyperscalers continue to drive DC demand, APAC colocation market is also expected to double in size to US$52 billion by 2026⁶, becoming the world’s largest colocation DC market.

Key DC markets in APAC

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Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore and Sydney are key developed DC markets in APAC⁷. These markets have achieved scale and are important DC hubs in the region.

Beijing and Shanghai also show promise due to China’s large population, growing digital services sectors, strong government support, and robust long-term economic prospects. 

Increasing demand for DCs in India

Highlighting India as a hotspot for DC investment, Mr Sanjeev Dasgupta, CLI’s CEO for India, said: “India’s DC industry has seen increasing interest from institutional investors and has a long runway for further growth. India has the world’s second highest number of mobile subscribers and one of the fastest growing data consumption per user rates. The government’s digitalisation drive, data localisation regulation as well as the growth of cloud and AI will generate more demand for DC capacity. With CLI’s 30 years of experience in India, we have the capabilities and a deep understanding of the local market. We have a dedicated team of DC experts in India and are currently developing four DCs across the key markets of Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad with a total gross power of 244 MW.”

The seven major cities in India – Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Pune, and Kolkata – are the focal points for new DC development, offering strategic locations with proximity to key business centres. Mumbai stands out as the preeminent hub, hosting more than half of the country’s DC capacity⁸ with the other major cities mentioned developing strongly.

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Opportunities and strategic considerations

Different DC models offer a spectrum of options for investors, catering to different preferences and risk appetites. However, the lack of stabilised DCs available for sale in APAC means the most promising opportunities for investors lie in developing new DCs – a strategy that can both satisfy new demand and yield higher returns.

Power availability has taken centre stage as a crucial determinant for DC locations. There is also a growing emphasis on sustainability. Increasingly, DC users and savvy operators are seeking to reduce their carbon footprints by being more energy-efficient and tapping renewable energy sources.

Investors should also be mindful of the geopolitical, regulatory and technological risks associated with DC investments. It is therefore crucial for investors to collaborate with DC partners who have a strong network, local expertise, and specialist domain knowledge.

To read the full research paper on DC investment strategies in APAC, visit: https://www.capitaland.com/global/en/about-capitaland/newsroom/Perspectives/2024/Apac_Data_Centre_Investment_Strategies_Age_of_Digitisation.html

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Launched in 2022, Perspectives is CLI’s series of thematic and topical research reports aimed at providing proprietary insights on real asset investment trends and strategies, private equity developments, macroeconomy and markets. For more, visit:
https://www.capitaland.com/en/investment/news-and-events/perspectives.html

[1] 2024 Global Data Centre Investor Sentiment Survey, CBRE.

[2] Includes data centres in operation and under development.

[3] The World Bank, United Nations, CBRE, CLI PERA Research, June 2024.

[4] ITU World Communication, CLI PERA Research, June 2024. Advertisement

[5] MSCI, Real Capital Analytics, CLI PERA Research, June 2024.

[6] CBRE, CLI PERA Research, June 2024.

[7] CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, DC Byte, CLI PERA Research, June 2024.

[8] Avendus, “DCs: Powering Digital India”, May 2023, DC Byte, CLI PERA Research, June 2024.

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DUBAI, UAE, July 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — To boost financial literacy in the UAE, StockGro, India’s largest stock market experiential learning platform, has partnered with Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to integrate a live data feed. This collaboration aims to enhance retail investor participation by fostering stock market literacy across the region.

StockGro’s community-based learning platform features over 100 licensed financial experts educating millennials about the financial markets. With DFM’s live data feed implemented on StockGro’s risk-free education platform, the partnership aims to propagate financial awareness in the UAE region.

Ajay Lakhotia, Founder and CEO of StockGro, commented on the expansion, saying, “Launching in UAE marks a significant milestone in our journey to make financial education accessible globally. With DFM’s support, we are excited to empower lakhs of UAE-based investors to become financially free.”

StockGro is India’s premier experiential social learning platform for trading and investments. With over 35 million users nationwide, StockGro is the trusted destination for individuals seeking to learn and master the art of trading and investments. StockGro has successfully empowered financial enthusiasts across 1000+ prestigious educational institutions, offering a unique and immersive learning experience.

Dubai Financial Market (DFM) is the UAE’s premier stock exchange, facilitating financial growth for investors and market participants by offering innovative products in an efficient, transparent and liquid environment. Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established as a public institution with independent corporate bodies. DFM operates as a secondary market for the trading of securities issued by public shareholding companies, bonds issued by the Federal Government or any of the local Governments and public institutions in the country, units of investment funds and any other financial instruments, local or foreign, which are accepted by the market.

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The DFM commenced operations on March 26, 2000, and became the 1st Islamic Shari’a-compliant exchange globally since 2007. Following its IPO in November 2006, when DFM offered 1.6 billion shares, representing 20% of its paid-up capital of AED 8 billion, DFM became a public joint stock company, and its shares were listed on 7 March 2007 with the trading symbol (DFM). Following the IPO, the Government of Dubai retained the remaining 80% of DFM Company through Borse Dubai Limited. www.dfm.ae 

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Hong Kong’s Dual Champions of Virtual Asset ETFs

HONG KONG, July 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Yesterday, the Bosera HashKey Virtual Asset ETFs achieved a historic breakthrough, with their total assets under management (AUM) surpassing US$110 million for the first time. The Bosera HashKey Ether ETF (3009.HK) has maintained a stable position with over 6,000 ETH since May 7, continuing to lead the market. Close behind, the Bosera HashKey Bitcoin ETF (3008.HK) also achieved impressive growth, with a management scale exceeding US$90 million. This growth has driven the total AUM of Bosera HashKey Virtual Asset ETFs to a record high, solidifying their top position in the Asian market.

Since 2015, the HashKey founding team has been deeply involved in the global blockchain and crypto ecosystem. As one of the few forward-thinking institutional investors globally, HashKey not only funded the Ethereum Foundation in its early days but also helped the Ethereum ecosystem flourish in the Asia-Pacific region. Being one of the earliest institutional investors in Ethereum, HashKey has gained a significant first-mover advantage in the convergence of traditional finance and Web3.

HashKey Capital, a part of HashKey Group, was formally established in 2018. With a strong emphasis on regulation and compliance, it rapidly rose to become a leading venture capital fund in Asia. HashKey Capital has implemented a global strategy to promote resource sharing and local ecosystem development, significantly contributing to the advancement of global blockchain technology, industry development, and community evolution.

During the bear market of 2022, HashKey Capital successfully raised a US$500 million VC fund III, injecting new vitality into the Web3 community. Over the past six years, driven by investment and research, the company has invested in over 600 blockchain projects, fostering the growth of the global blockchain ecosystem.

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HashKey Capital has also set new standards for compliance within the Web3 industry, acting as a bridge between the crypto and traditional finance worlds. In 2022, HashKey Capital Limited received a Type 9 licence uplift in Hong Kong, and in 2023, HashKey Capital Singapore Pte Ltd obtained the Capital Markets Services licence for Fund Management in Singapore. This was followed by an upgrade of HashKey Capital Limited’s Type 9 license in Hong Kong and the approval of the Type 4 license this year, making HashKey Capital the first firm to offer both crypto asset management and advisory services to both professional and retail investors. Pending future regulatory approvals, HashKey Capital intends to expand its business lines to market and distribute virtual asset-related private funds and derivatives to professional investors.

In terms of secondary market product development, HashKey Capital launched its first actively managed virtual asset liquid fund in September 2023, marking the emergence of a comprehensive product suite in Web3 asset management. In January 2024, the company released three major indices in collaboration with FTSE Russell, a leading global provider of index and benchmark solutions, to track global digital assets. Continuing this momentum, in April 2024, HashKey Capital partnered with Bosera International to launch the Bosera HashKey Bitcoin ETF (3008.HK) and Ether ETF (3009.HK), successfully listing them on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This successfully brought crypto assets into the mainstream financial market.

The success of crypto asset spot ETFs is inseparable from the ecosystem that continuously empowers them.

After 6 years of dedicated efforts, HashKey Capital has played a pivotal role in driving blockchain technology and crypto assets towards large-scale application and mainstream adoption. Throughout this journey, it has established deep strategic partnerships with a diverse network of investors, including traditional financial institutions, sovereign funds, multinational conglomerates, renowned family offices, and crypto-native investors. By leveraging profound insights into investor needs and cutting-edge knowledge of the Web3 industry, the Bosera HashKey Virtual Asset ETFs have not only secured a firm foothold in a highly competitive market but also achieved steady growth in asset management scale. Amidst stronger collaborative efforts and continuous market development, the Bosera HashKey Virtual Asset ETFs will create more value for investors and play an increasingly significant role in the global crypto asset space.

In the Bosera HashKey ETF ecosystem, Bosera International and HashKey Exchange, a subsidiary of HashKey Group, serve as the two pivotal partners driving the product’s launch and market expansion. Bosera International, a veteran in asset management in Asia, offers traditional investors a gateway to access virtual assets. Meanwhile, HashKey Exchange, Hong Kong’s first regulated virtual asset trading platform, provides robust infrastructure necessary for trade execution and liquidity of the Bosera HashKey ETFs.

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Moreover, the thriving development of ETFs is driven by the active participation of regulators and industry leaders. The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Hong Kong Legislative Council members, Duncan Chiu and Johnny Ng have provided invaluable guidance and insight to the industry on the development of regulatory compliance for virtual asset ETFs.

Looking ahead, HashKey Capital remains committed to driving financial innovation and fostering Web3 compliance. We will expand investor access to diverse investment opportunities while integrating the Web3 ecosystem more deeply into mainstream financial markets, aiming for broader adoption and recognition.

About HashKey Capital

HashKey Capital is a global digital asset and blockchain leader helping institutions, founders and talents advance the blockchain industry.

As one of the largest crypto fund managers and being the earliest corporate investor in Ethereum, HashKey Capital has managed over US$1 billion in client assets since its inception. Leveraging its unparalleled expertise, HashKey Capital’s venture investments team oversees a diversified portfolio of over 600 pioneering projects across institutional services, infrastructure, data, AI, consumer services/ technology and more.

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On the liquid funds front, HashKey Capital manages a suite of digital asset products, including an actively managed fund and the Bosera HashKey Bitcoin (3008.HK) and Ether (3009.HK) spot ETFs, which are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).

With our deep knowledge across the blockchain ecosystem, HashKey Capital has built a robust network connecting founders, investors, developers, and regulators.

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