Discipline, Clarity, and Wealth Architecture Return to the Forefront in the Offshore Wealth Management Industry. In an interview with Funds Society, Cristina Acosta, founder and Managing Principal of 5E Wealth, shared her outlook for the coming years: a more professionalized wealth management sector, enhanced by better use of technology and a renewed focus on human connection.
“Well-designed wealth should provide peace of mind and direction,” she stated, as she reflected on the opportunities and challenges shaping the path forward in 2026. She highlighted a growing interest in thematic investments, many accessed through active ETFs, and the evolving role of alternatives as a complement within investment portfolios.
Acosta’s perspective is not shaped by short-term trends but by nearly three decades in the financial industry, including over 26 years dedicated specifically to wealth management. She has guided families and investors through multiple market cycles, crises, periods of exuberance, and structural transitions. That experience strongly informs her emphasis on coherence, discipline, and long-term strategic sustainability.
At the top of her LinkedIn profile is the phrase “wealth with intentionality,” a concept that captures this new chapter for the wealth management industry. “Wealth with intention means making conscious, transparent, and thoughtful decisions, connected to each family’s story and to what they want to preserve over time,” she explained. For Acosta, intentionality doesn’t mean rigidity, but rather purpose: “Directing capital with intention gives clients something incredibly valuable, peace, perspective, and confidence in their long-term decisions,” she said.
Cristina Acosta began her financial career in 1997 while studying at Northeastern University in Boston, joining Fidelity as an analyst on a small team focused on Latin America. This early experience gave her valuable international exposure and led her to participate in key projects from Luxembourg, during a period when Latin American financial markets were undergoing major structural changes and opening up to global institutions and asset managers.
After graduation, she joined J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York, where she completed the private banking training program and developed a comprehensive view of wealth, working closely with legal, tax, fiduciary, and investment specialists.
In 2004, she moved to Switzerland to join UBS in Geneva, a pivotal experience that deepened her focus on long-term wealth preservation and structural simplicity. It was during this period that she committed to financial education and to using clearer, more inclusive language, particularly for women.
In 2009, she began working independently from Zurich, advising Latin American families for over a decade. In 2024, she founded 5E Wealth in partnership with Bolton Global Asset Management, driven by her belief that independence is essential to aligning interests and designing coherent, personalized wealth solutions.
Investing: Themes, Alternatives, and Risk Management
When it comes to investment opportunities, Cristina Acosta sees growing interest in thematic strategies, many of which are accessed through active ETFs or specialized funds. “Robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and companies that integrate these technologies are gaining traction,” she noted.
She also highlights the role of alternative assets as a complement to core portfolios. “They’re growing due to the need for true diversification, low correlation, and the search for return sources beyond traditional markets,” she explained. Within this space, she sees stronger potential in infrastructure and secondaries, though she cautions about risks such as “illiquidity, valuation challenges, and overly optimistic narratives.”
From her experience, one of the main challenges remains comprehensive risk management. “I get concerned when I see wealth spread across multiple portfolios at different institutions without a clear global plan. Banks don’t talk to each other, and risks accumulate,” she warned. In this context, the independent advisor plays a key role as a neutral figure who connects and balances the full picture.
Offshore, Regulation, and the U.S. Advantage
Acosta also highlights that the modern offshore space is becoming increasingly regulated and transparent. “There is greater scrutiny and more demanding reporting requirements. Offshore is no longer opaque; it is clear and structured,” she stated in her conversation with Funds Society.
Regarding the United States as a jurisdiction, she emphasized its market depth, rule of law, and access to intellectual and institutional capital. “When used properly, the U.S. offers a very powerful platform for international wealth management,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Acosta identifies three key trends reshaping offshore wealth management from the U.S. The first is the growing institutionalization of the independent advisor. “I see stronger platforms with greater operational and regulatory rigor, without sacrificing independence or flexibility,” she said.
The second trend is the smarter use of wealth technology. “Tools for consolidation, oversight, and risk analysis will enable families and advisors to gain a truly comprehensive view of global wealth, something that was very difficult to achieve until recently,” she explained. For Acosta, the value lies not in the technology itself, but in how it’s applied: “Used well, it reduces operational burden and frees up time for high-quality service,” she noted.
The third is a clear return to the value of human relationships. “Many institutions lost that connection by over-institutionalizing their service. The market is moving toward less unnecessary intermediation and more discernment, structure, and fiduciary responsibility,” she predicted.
More Informed Clients and a New Generational Balance
This shift in the model goes hand in hand with a profound evolution in the profile of UHNW clients and the new generations. “Today, clients are more informed, ask more questions, and are less likely to delegate blindly,” said Acosta. In particular, younger generations value impact, governance, financial education, and flexibility, according to the founder of 5E Wealth.
“Education brings autonomy, discernment, and peace of mind,” she emphasized, especially in the case of women. “An educated client doesn’t necessarily want to manage their wealth alone, but becomes a more responsible and intentional investor,” she explained.
Looking at the cycle, Acosta describes 2025 as a year of transition and adjustment. “After several years of volatility and extreme narratives, many portfolios are in a digestion phase, rebalancing risks, revisiting assumptions, and returning to fundamentals,” she noted. In her view, this is not a year for impulsive decisions, but one for reinforcing structures and discipline.
For 2026, her tone is one of cautious optimism. “I believe interesting opportunities will arise, but selectively, not across the board,” she stated. Families that reach that point with clear goals, solid diversification, and patience will be better positioned. “Staying disciplined and tuning out the noise will be key to capturing value without compromising balance or peace of mind,” she added.