Structured certificates are financial instruments issued by a third party, that are based on underlying assets — their returns depend on the performance of the asset, which can be a single stock or an equity index. Singapore began offering listed structured certificates on Aug. 30, with its inaugural issue being one linked to Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding . "So tech names, Hong Kong names, U.S. names, Japanese names. SGX's move to broaden its equity-linked product base "could drive incremental market interest," including offering depository receipts and structured certificates, Wickramasinghe told CNBC. Structured certificates are more more popular in Europe, as investors there are "broadly speaking, very yield focused," Syn told CNBC.

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Persons: Roslan RAHMAN, ROSLAN RAHMAN, Roslan Rahman, Thilan Wickramasinghe, Michael Syn, CNBC's, Serene Cai, Tharman, Wickramasinghe, Syn, Adam Reynolds, Reynolds Organizations: Getty, Afp, Singapore Exchange, CNBC, Inside Venture, Saxo Markets Locations: Singapore, AFP, Asia, Hong Kong, SGX, Pacific, Europe