TL;DR
- Adoption Surge: 60% of wealthy Asian investors plan to increase crypto allocations, with 87% already invested and nearly half allocating more than 10% of their portfolios.
- Product Demand: Over 80% of HNWIs want ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside yield solutions and outsourced mandates, showing appetite for diversified exposure.
- Institutional Confidence: Regulatory frameworks in Hong Kong and Singapore boost trust, with 66% seeking stronger custody standards.
Wealthy Asian investors are signaling a decisive shift toward digital assets, with 60% of surveyed high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) planning to increase their crypto exposure. The Sygnum APAC HNWI Report 2025 shows that digital assets are firmly embedded in portfolios, with 87% of respondents already holding cryptocurrencies. Nearly half allocate more than 10% of their wealth to this sector, underscoring how blockchain-based investments are becoming central to long-term wealth strategies despite market volatility.
Growing Adoption Among HNWIs
The survey involved more than 270 HNWIs, ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), and professional investors. Results reveal that 90% consider digital assets crucial for wealth preservation and estate planning. Median allocations range between 10% and 20% of portfolios, with diversification driving 56% of decisions. Looking ahead, 57% of HNWIs and 61% of UHNWIs express positive sentiment toward crypto over a 2–5 year horizon, highlighting confidence in blockchain’s role as a sustainable investment class.
Demand for Broader Investment Products
Beyond direct holdings, wealthy investors are showing strong interest in structured products. More than 80% of HNWIs want ETFs that extend beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Active exposure management, yield solutions, and outsourced mandates are also gaining traction. This appetite reflects a desire for institutional-grade vehicles that provide both diversification and risk management, signaling that crypto adoption is evolving from speculative enthusiasm into structured portfolio integration.
Institutional Confidence and Regulation
Gerald Goh, Sygnum’s co-founder and Asia-Pacific CEO, emphasized that cryptocurrencies are now embedded among Asia’s wealthiest portfolios. About 66% of HNWIs said they would invest with greater confidence if private banks demonstrated strong custody and security standards. Regulatory frameworks in Hong Kong and Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) have built infrastructure enabling traditional institutions to offer crypto services. According to Goh, the question is no longer whether banks will meet demand, but when.
Challenges and Strategic Timing
Lucas Schweiger, head of Sygnum’s crypto ecosystem research, noted that Asia-Pacific HNWIs view crypto as legitimate wealth creation. Singapore’s MAS framework provides the safeguards investors expect, yet many participants are timing entries strategically after market corrections. The report also highlights obstacles: regulatory uncertainty, fragmented licensing, and custody concerns. These challenges remain barriers to broader participation, but the overall trajectory points toward growing allocations and deeper institutional involvement in digital assets.
