Rafael Weber: «Swissquote is a Key Infrastructure Partner in Asia»
As Singapore cements its role as the connective tissue between European and Asian wealth, Swissquote is repositioning itself from niche broker to core infrastructure provider. In this interview, Rafael Weber explains how rapid client growth, technology-driven execution, and cross-border operational depth are turning Swissquote into a critical platform for EAMs.
Rafael Weber, what’s new with Swissquote Singapore?
The business has grown significantly since we last spoke, and I have been focused on scaling our commercial efforts to support that momentum. We recently also doubled our office space to accommodate our expanding team, and we continue to hire as demand increases.
Our client base has broadened both geographically and across segments – from External Asset Managers (EAMs) and Single Family Offices (SFOs) to self-directed Ultra-High-Net-Worth-Individuals (U)HNWIs and funds. We are also seeing stronger traction in specialized areas such as off-balance-sheet AMCs and an expanding network of life-insurance carriers.
At the same time, existing clients are increasing their share of wallet with us, which reinforces the strength of our platform.
What happened on the operational side?
We have progressed with the rollout of the «OpenWealth» standard in Singapore and continued to enhance our digital onboarding and operational workflows – areas where intermediaries consistently tell us we stand out compared with more traditional institutions.
«Clients today expect their advisors to operate seamlessly between Europe and Asia»
Overall, Swissquote is becoming a key infrastructure partner for a wider range of clients across Asia, and the business continues to build strong momentum.
Cross-border advisory platforms are becoming a differentiator. How are Singapore EAMs structuring Europe-Asia cooperation to win mandates amid rising complexity in capital solutions?
They increasingly need infrastructure that works reliably across jurisdictions. Clients today expect their advisors to operate seamlessly between Europe and Asia, with fast onboarding, transparent pricing, and global market access – without the operational friction that often accompanies traditional private banks.
In practice, EAMs are prioritising platforms that combine technology-driven execution, multi-market accessibility, and institutional pricing, while maintaining the governance standards required by both the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and European regulators. This is where Swissquote differentiates itself.
What does that exactly mean?
We position ourselves between pure digital brokers and traditional private banks: our technology enables EAMs to run their strategies independently, without conflicts of interest, and on a globally unified platform that offers efficient execution and straightforward operations.
«Singapore has become the natural meeting point for European capital seeking Asian exposure»
As Europe-Asia wealth flows grow, EAMs win mandates by showing clients that their platform is fast, cost-effective, and globally connected. Technology enables this, and it is precisely where Swissquote is strongest.
Singapore is positioning itself as a bridge between Europe and Asia. How does that translate into day-to-day advantages for EAMs?
Singapore’s role as a Europe-Asia bridge is visible in several practical ways. The city attracts talent with deep cross-border wealth management experience, making it easy for EAMs to run European client relationships from Asia. Its regulatory framework is stable, predictable, and highly trusted – a major reason why European families increasingly choose Singapore as a booking centre.
Beyond that, Singapore has become the natural meeting point for European capital seeking Asian exposure and for Asian families exploring opportunities in Europe. This two-way flow creates real opportunities for EAMs.
Private banks and custodians are deploying agentic AI to speed KYC/SOW reviews. Will EAMs benefit through faster account openings, or face higher documentation standards?
Both outcomes are likely. AI can significantly reduce manual processing and accelerate onboarding, but reliability and governance are critical, and human judgment remains necessary.
At Swissquote, technology has always been a core part of our operating model, and even relatively simple tools such as digital signing tools, automated data capture, and structured digital workflows help remove friction, reduce errors, and speed up onboarding without compromising standards.
«We operate purely as an execution and custody platform»
As the industry adopts more AI-driven processes, EAMs will benefit from efficiencies, but documentation requirements will continue to rise.
Are clients pushing you toward more discretionary mandates, or are advisory and transactional still dominant for EAM relationships in Singapore?
For EAMs, discretionary mandates offered by custodian banks are generally not a priority. Instead, they prefer to manage discretionary solutions themselves through funds or AMCs.
Swissquote is a strong partner for this model because we operate purely as an execution and custody platform. There is no conflict of interest with the EAM’s advisory or discretionary business, and we provide the infrastructure to onboard, hold, and manage their own strategies efficiently.
Do you expect more platform partnerships between EAMs and alternative providers?
Yes. Many EAMs increasingly realise they do not require the full suite of private bank services for every client segment. More specialised and cost-efficient platforms are becoming attractive alternatives.
«Due diligence must go deeper»
With greater choice, however, comes greater responsibility: due diligence must go deeper, particularly around governance, operational strength, and product oversight.
The expansion of the ecosystem will widen the quality gap between providers, making thorough due diligence a key differentiator.
Looking ahead, which trend will matter most to Singapore EAMs?
Many trends will influence the industry, but regulatory technology will have the most immediate impact. MAS continues to raise expectations around onboarding, transaction monitoring, and ongoing surveillance, which puts operational pressure on EAMs. Inefficiencies in KYC and AML processes remain the biggest bottlenecks.
EAMs that adopt the right technology early and embed it deeply into their workflows will scale more efficiently and remain competitive as regulatory demands continue to increase.
Rafael M. Weber is responsible for all clients in the Booking Centre Singapore for Swissquote. Before that, he was Head Private Clients at an American crypto company after having worked for UBS Wealth Management in Singapore & Hong Kong for many years building the banks Multi Family Office business in Asia. He has extensive experience advising Family Offices, External Asset Managers, and (U)HWNIs in Asia and Europe. He holds an M.A. in Banking in Finance from the University of St. Gallen and has also studied in Mainland China and Korea.
