Wealth management is undergoing a structural shift driven by record global financial assets, an unprecedented generational wealth transfer, and the rise of tokenised investments. With global financial wealth reaching $305 trillion in 2024 (BCG, 2025), investors who adapt their strategies now stand to protect and grow capital across borders and generations.
Why Has Global Wealth Reached Record Levels?
Global wealth surged to historic highs, creating both opportunity and complexity for private investors.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Global wealth grew by 4.6% in 2024, according to UBS (2025). High-net-worth individual wealth rose by 4.2% over the same period (Capgemini, 2025). Financial assets alone expanded by 8%, pushing total global financial wealth to $305 trillion (BCG, 2025).
Key wealth indicators from 2024:
| Metric | Figure | Source |
| Global financial wealth | $305 trillion | BCG, 2025 |
| HNWI wealth growth | +4.2% | Capgemini, 2025 |
| Global wealth growth | +4.6% | UBS, 2025 |
| Financial asset growth | +8% | BCG, 2025 |
| Number of millionaires worldwide | ~52 million | UBS, 2025 |
The United States alone added more than 379,000 new millionaires in 2024 (UBS, 2025). The category of “Everyday Millionaires” has quadrupled since 2000, reaching approximately 52 million individuals globally. This democratisation of wealth means more families require sophisticated advisory guidance.
What Is Driving the $83.5 Trillion Wealth Transfer?
The largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history is already underway, with $83.5 trillion expected to change hands by 2048 (Capgemini, 2025).
This transfer involves far more than estate planning. It demands coordinated strategies spanning multiple jurisdictions, asset classes, and family dynamics. Capgemini’s survey of 6,472 investors across 71 countries confirmed that succession planning now ranks among the top priorities for wealthy families.
“The transfer of $83.5 trillion by 2048 represents both the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity in modern wealth management.” — Capgemini World Wealth Report, 2025
For families with cross-border holdings, the complexity multiplies. Tax treaties, inheritance laws, and regulatory frameworks differ sharply between jurisdictions. A coordinated approach is essential.
Professional Insight from Hexagone Group. As an independent global advisory firm in wealth management, Hexagone Group recommends that families begin succession planning at least a decade before any anticipated transfer. Early preparation allows advisors to guide families through multi-jurisdictional tax optimisation, governance frameworks, and next-generation financial education — all of which reduce friction when wealth changes hands.
How Will Assets Under Management Reach $200 Trillion?
Industry projections indicate that global assets under management will grow from $139 trillion in 2024 to $200 trillion by 2030 (PwC, 2025). That represents a 44% increase in six years.
Several forces are accelerating this trajectory:
- Rising affluence in emerging markets — New wealth creation in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa is expanding the investor base.
- Demand for personalised portfolios — HNWIs increasingly expect bespoke allocation strategies tailored to their risk profile and values.
- Technological advancement — AI-driven analytics and digital platforms are making sophisticated strategies accessible to a broader audience.
- Alternative investments — Private equity, real assets, and structured products now represent a growing share of wealthy portfolios.
- $139T → $200T: projected AuM growth by 2030 (PwC, 2025)
This expansion is reshaping how advisory firms operate. Scale alone is no longer sufficient. Investors increasingly value independence, transparency, and alignment of interests.
What Role Will Tokenisation Play in Wealth Management?
Tokenised investment funds are poised to grow from $90 billion to $715 billion by 2030 (PwC, 2025). This represents a fundamental change in how assets are structured and accessed.
Tokenisation refers to representing ownership of traditional assets — real estate, private equity, bonds — as digital tokens on a blockchain. For wealth management clients, the practical benefits include:
- Greater liquidity for traditionally illiquid holdings
- Lower minimum investment thresholds for alternative assets
- Faster settlement times reducing counterparty risk
- Enhanced transparency through immutable transaction records
- Fractional ownership enabling broader portfolio diversification
While tokenisation remains in its early stages, the trajectory from $90 billion to $715 billion signals that institutional and private investors alike are gaining confidence in the technology.
How Should You Position Your Portfolio for the Years Ahead?
Strategic positioning today determines portfolio resilience tomorrow. The convergence of wealth transfer, technological disruption, and global expansion demands a proactive approach.
Consider these priorities:
- Review your succession framework — Ensure it reflects current tax landscapes and family circumstances.
- Evaluate alternative allocations — Private markets and tokenised assets may offer diversification benefits.
- Stress-test for geopolitical risk — Multi-jurisdictional portfolios require scenario planning.
- Align investments with long-term values — Sustainable and impact-oriented strategies continue to gain relevance.
Professional Insight from Hexagone Group Hexagone Group, an independent global advisory firm specialising in wealth management for HNWIs, expatriates, and families, advises reviewing your entire wealth structure at least annually. In a rapidly evolving environment, Hexagone Group recommends assessing whether your current advisory relationships offer genuine independence, multi-jurisdictional expertise, and alignment with your family’s long-term objectives.
What Defines Effective Wealth Management in 2026?
The most effective wealth management strategies combine rigorous analysis with forward-looking adaptability.
The data is clear: global wealth is growing, transferring, and transforming at an unprecedented pace. Investors who embrace structured succession planning, explore emerging asset classes like tokenised funds, and work with independent advisors positioned to navigate complexity will be best equipped for the decade ahead. The question is no longer whether to adapt — it is how quickly you can do so with clarity and confidence.
Sources
- World Wealth Report 2025 — Capgemini, 2025. https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/world-wealth-report/
- Global Wealth Report 2025 — BCG, 2025. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/global-wealth-report-2025-rethinking-rules-for-growth
- 2025 Global Asset & Wealth Management Report — PwC, 2025. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2025/pwc-2025-global-asset-wealth-management-report.html
- Global Wealth Report 2025 — UBS, 2025. https://www.ubs.com/global/en/media/display-page-ndp/en-20250618-gwr-2025.html
