From www.abc.net.au: ASIC is examining the growing trend of private investment as public company listings decline, raising concerns over transparency and potential risks in private financing.

The number of companies on the ASX has decreased by 4% over the past decade, while assets managed by private equity funds have surged by 161%.

ASIC aims to evaluate whether regulatory intervention is necessary to manage issues related to conflicts of interest and untested debt levels arising from the shift to private markets.