Crypto bosses, CEOs and F1: Singapore's business events boom gathers pace

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 11: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford Powertrains and Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 battle for the race lead at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 11, 2026 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)Joe Portlock | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesBillionaires, global CEOs and crypto executives descended on Singapore last week as a growing number of high-profile conferences coincided with the country's Formula 1 Grand Prix.More than 40 business events were held around this year's Grand Prix period, up from over 25 in 2025 and over 30 in 2024, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. The events included the Milken Institute Asia Summit, TOKEN2049, the Forbes Global CEO Conference, Solana Summit APAC and the Global-Asia Family Office Summit.Formula 1 has generated more than 2.2 billion Singapore dollars ($1.72 billion) in incremental tourism receipts between its debut in 2008 and 2024, according to Singapore's Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, which equates to an average of S$150 milli...