KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad has partnered Cboe Global Markets, Inc. to introduce access to VIX® Futures in Malaysia, offering investors a volatility-linked tool tied to how markets are expected to move.
The Bank said VIX® Futures are listed on Cboe Futures Exchange (CFE®) and are standardised, cash-settled contracts that allow investors to hedge against future market volatility expectations.
In a market environment where directional index trading can shift quickly, the Bank said it is positioning VIX® Futures access as a way to deepen engagement across its broader Foreign Futures suite.
Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad chief executive officer Hanif Ghulam Mohammed said since 2023, the bank has deliberately expanded its Foreign Futures proposition through strategic collaborations with leading global market players.
“Today, with Cboe and VIX® Futures, we are taking that ambition further by offering access to a volatility-linked, exchange-traded instrument that is increasingly relevant in how investors interpret changing market conditions and participate more resiliently across cycles.
“This launch propels Affin Hwang’s Foreign Futures growth into its next phase, pairing market access with structured education and disciplined onboarding to build investor readiness and support more informed participation.
“Guided by AFFIN Group’s Axelerate 2028 (AX28) Plan, we are advancing our ambition to be the most creative and innovative financial company in Malaysia, while delivering unrivalled customer service with sharper education and a more seamless end-to-end client journey,” he added.
The bank said the move builds on its deliberate expansion of its Foreign Futures proposition from 2023, driven by strategic collaborations with global market leaders, including annual investor engagement initiatives with CME Group.
With the addition of CFE to its exchange offering, it aims to broaden access beyond institutional and professional participation to include eligible retail clients and emerging active traders, supported by structured education and disciplined onboarding standards.
Cboe Global Markets APAC Derivatives Sales head Sharon Ang shared that for decades, Cboe’s VIX futures have served as a trusted tool for expressing market views and managing risk.
“Through our collaboration with Affin Hwang, we are pleased to introduce VIX futures to the Malaysian market through an investment bank for the first time, supporting the continued growth of the region’s derivatives ecosystem.
“Cboe and Affin Hwang share a deep commitment to investor education, and we look forward to helping their customers further understand and integrate these important volatility tools into their portfolios,” she said.
