Rupen Shah

A reflective review of the first quarter of 2026, covering my move to GPS, Hong Kong admission, writing plans, website fixes, and how the first three months in my new career have actually gone....

Hong Kong’s proposed ‘big bang’ tax cuts are a massive win for investment managers, but they don't replace the offshore model. Discover the integrated, dual-hub architecture sophisticated GPs will use to structure Asian capital over the next decade....

A busy few days brought a string of moments — from alumni reconnections and feral children on the beach, to my first Hong Kong courtroom appearance and my kids’ piano recital. Reflections on milestones, visibility, and why showing up matters more than perfection....

Adjusting to a new routine brings fresh perspectives. A few reflections from the trenches on the 'WFH vs RTO' debate, learning new skills as an experienced lawyer, and why quiet consistency is the engine behind all growth....

Independent directors are essential for fund governance. But not all are equal. Discover what separates genuine board-level judgment from checkbox compliance....

In the eyes of the law, "The Boss" doesn't exist. There are only Shareholders, Directors, and Employees. While a founder often wears all three hats, mixing them up can lead to frozen bank facilities and "sweat equity" disputes. Here is why you need to separate your equity from your management....

One year after being made redundant, February marks a distinct shift from "messy" to "momentum." Reflections on the progress of Rupen 2.0, the joy of a Hong Kong CNY, and the ongoing battle with digital habits....

Signing a term sheet is just the starting gun. From certified true copies to strict statutory perfection windows, discover the five internal bank guardrails that can freeze your facility—and how to navigate them smoothly....

Stepping into Consensus HK with 15,000 attendees was a shock to the system. From the rise of Real World Assets (RWA) to overcoming networking jitters, here are my key takeaways on finding commercial value—and regulatory clarity—amidst the Web3 noise....

I’m at Consensus HK today—not as a crypto native, but as an ex-bank lawyer on a mission. The "New World" of DeFi needs "Old World" plumbing to scale. I’m here to listen to founders about their governance, structuring, and banking pain points. Let's bridge the gap between code and compliance....

After a year away, I’m returning to the arena. This post explores the learning again, the shift to individual accountability, and field notes on the tech stack driving "Rupen 2.0."...

Is your offshore structure costing you a "Legacy Tax"? I explain why the default corporate setting in Asia has changed and why it is now often cheaper and easier to re-domicile to Hong Kong....

January 2026 marks the official start of "Rupen 2.0." It feels like a mess, but the evidence says otherwise: two new clients, a 15-year loop closed in HK, and a total digital revamp. Here are my raw reflections on the anxiety, the freedom, and the discipline of starting over....

14 companies, including AXA, have now moved to Hong Kong. As an ex-offshore lawyer, I break down why the "Offshore Advantage" is dead, the cost of the "Legacy Tax," and how to avoid the "35-Day Trap."...

Week two of my new career and the doubts are creeping in. I’m learning that resilience is about recognising the wobble and doing the work anyway....