Asian Wealthy Investors Embrace Digital Assets: 87% Hold Crypto in Portfolios
The Rise of Cryptocurrency in Asian Investment Strategies
In a remarkable shift that signals the growing legitimacy of digital assets in traditional wealth management, a comprehensive new survey reveals that an overwhelming 87% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) across Asia now hold cryptocurrencies and other digital assets in their investment portfolios. According to Sygnum’s APAC HNWI Report 2025, which surveyed more than 270 wealthy and professional investors across ten Asia-Pacific markets, these sophisticated investors aren’t merely dabbling in crypto—they’re committing substantial portions of their wealth to this emerging asset class. Nearly half (49%) of respondents allocate more than 10% of their portfolios to digital assets, placing the median exposure in the 10-20% range. Perhaps most tellingly for the future trajectory of this trend, 60% of these investors plan to increase their cryptocurrency allocations in the near term.
This substantial embrace of digital assets represents a fundamental evolution in how wealth is managed across the region. “HNWIs in Singapore and the wider APAC region are embracing digital assets as a genuine wealth creation and preservation opportunity,” explains Lucas Schweiger, the report’s author and Sygnum Crypto Asset Ecosystem Research Lead. “Their disciplined, intergenerational approach to investing, combined with a higher risk appetite, is driving substantial allocations to digital assets—particularly within Singapore’s well-regulated MAS framework that provides the institutional-grade safeguards these investors expect.” This integration of digital assets into structured wealth management strategies marks a departure from earlier cryptocurrency adoption patterns, which were often characterized by speculative retail trading. Instead, what emerges from the data is a picture of strategic, long-term investment thinking among Asia’s financial elite.
Beyond Speculation: Digital Assets as Wealth Preservation Tools
The maturation of cryptocurrency as an asset class is perhaps best illustrated by the evolving motivations behind Asian HNWIs’ investment decisions. The report highlights a pronounced shift away from speculative motives toward more traditional wealth management considerations, with an impressive 90% of respondents now viewing digital assets as important components in their long-term wealth preservation and generational planning strategies. Diversification has emerged as the primary driver for allocation decisions, supplanting earlier motivations centered around short-term trading opportunities or exposure to technological megatrends. This transformation mirrors the historical evolution of other alternative asset classes, from exotic speculation vehicles to mainstream portfolio diversifiers.
This maturing perspective is reshaping product demand as well. Asian HNWIs are increasingly seeking sophisticated investment vehicles that align with their broader wealth management approaches. Actively managed strategies, outsourced investment mandates, and yield-enhanced products that integrate seamlessly into existing wealth structures are gaining traction. Particularly noteworthy is the expectation that traditional wealth managers accommodate this new asset class—a pattern observed in other markets as well. Recent reporting from BeInCrypto indicates that American investors are already redirecting funds away from financial advisors who fail to provide cryptocurrency exposure, suggesting this is a global phenomenon. Gerald Goh, Sygnum Co-Founder and APAC CEO, observes that regulatory frameworks in key regional hubs have laid the necessary groundwork: “Singapore’s MAS framework and Hong Kong’s advancing digital asset regulations have established the infrastructure needed for traditional wealth managers to offer crypto services—the question is no longer whether private banks can serve this demand, but when they will move to meet it.”
ETF Preferences Reveal Sophisticated Digital Asset Outlook
The sophistication of Asian wealthy investors’ approach to digital assets is particularly evident in their preferences for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with demand extending well beyond the Bitcoin and Ethereum products that have captured headlines in Western markets. A striking 80% of survey respondents expressed interest in ETFs offering exposure to a broader range of digital assets. Solana has emerged as a particular focus, with 52% of investors interested in exposure to this alternative blockchain platform. This is closely followed by multi-asset crypto indexes (48%) and XRP (41%), demonstrating investors’ desire for diversified cryptocurrency exposure through regulated vehicles.
Moreover, Asian HNWIs are showing particular interest in products that combine passive exposure with yield-generating capabilities—a sophisticated approach that reflects their broader wealth management priorities. The survey revealed that 70% of respondents would either initiate or increase their allocations if staking yield were incorporated into ETF structures. This preference underscores a nuanced understanding of blockchain technology’s unique attributes, where certain cryptocurrencies offer passive income opportunities through network participation (staking) that traditional assets cannot match. Such yield-enhanced products represent a natural evolution in the digital asset investment landscape, bridging traditional finance’s emphasis on income generation with cryptocurrency’s technological innovations. This convergence of traditional investment preferences with novel digital asset capabilities illustrates how the sector is maturing to meet sophisticated investor expectations.
Navigating Regulatory Uncertainty in Asia’s Crypto Landscape
Despite the enthusiasm evident throughout the survey, Sygnum’s research identifies persistent challenges that continue to constrain even wider digital asset adoption among Asia’s wealthy investors. Regulatory uncertainty remains a primary concern, with investors navigating a complex patchwork of approaches across different jurisdictions. While Singapore and Hong Kong have established clearer frameworks that provide institutional-grade safeguards, regulatory consistency across the broader region remains elusive. Custody and security considerations also feature prominently among investor concerns, reflecting the unique challenges of securing digital assets compared to traditional investments.
These obstacles appear to be influencing investment behavior, with Sygnum noting that a significant proportion of investors are approaching the market cautiously in the wake of recent volatility. The crypto market’s characteristic price fluctuations, combined with high-profile security incidents at various service providers, have reinforced the importance of robust infrastructure and clear regulatory guidelines. Varying licensing requirements across jurisdictions further complicate matters for wealth managers seeking to serve clients with regional or global interests. Despite these challenges, there’s evidence that regional regulatory frameworks are evolving to address these concerns. Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) has established itself as a leader in balancing innovation with investor protection, creating a model that other jurisdictions increasingly look to emulate. As these frameworks mature, they’re likely to facilitate greater institutional participation and provide wealthy investors with the confidence to expand their digital asset allocations further.
APAC Emerges as a Global Digital Asset Hub with Strong Bullish Outlook
Looking beyond current challenges, Asian HNWIs maintain a decidedly optimistic long-term perspective on digital assets. The survey found that 57% of high-net-worth individuals and an even higher proportion (61%) of ultra-high-net-worth individuals expressed bullish or strongly bullish long-term views on the cryptocurrency market. This confidence stems largely from the accelerating integration between cryptocurrency ecosystems and traditional financial infrastructure, a trend that appears particularly advanced across key Asian financial centers. The increasing availability of regulated investment vehicles, institutional-grade custody solutions, and banking services for digital asset companies is creating a more hospitable environment for sophisticated investors.
Gerald Goh of Sygnum emphasizes the regional dimension of this trend, noting that “APAC is quickly emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing and most influential digital asset hubs.” This assessment aligns with broader observations about the region’s financial innovation trajectory, where countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea have established themselves as pioneers in various aspects of digital finance. The combination of forward-looking regulatory approaches, technological sophistication, and growing institutional acceptance is positioning Asia at the forefront of the global digital asset landscape. As the region heads into 2026, Goh anticipates this momentum will only accelerate, with Asia’s wealthy investors playing an increasingly influential role in shaping how digital assets are integrated into global wealth management. The survey data strongly suggests that cryptocurrency has crossed a critical threshold in Asia, transitioning from an experimental allocation to an established component of diversified wealth strategies among the region’s financial elite.
