Asian wealthy investors show growing interest in crypto

With the wind clearly favoring crypto, a new survey of wealthy investors across Asia shows that most expect to increase the share of digital assets in their portfolios over the coming years. The results suggest growing confidence among wealthier market participants, who now view crypto as a significant part of their long-term investment plans rather than just passing speculation.

Wealthy investors are turning to crypto

The Sygnum APAC HNWI 2025 report reveals a notable shift in the approach of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Asia towards digital assets. According to the survey, 60% of these investors plan to increase their crypto allocations in the near future. In addition, 90% now consider cryptocurrencies as essential for preserving wealth and preparing for intergenerational transmission, moving away from the purely speculative vision.

Reflecting this trend, diversification has become the main motivation for 56% of investors, a focus that manifests itself in their current holdings: 87% of crypto holders already have exposure, with almost half allocating more than 10% of their portfolio to digital assets.

Confidence in the sector is strongwith 57% of HNWIs and 61% of the ultra-rich (UHNWIs) expressing optimism about its long-term prospects. Their positive vision is further supported by the growing integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional financial markets, which adds credibility and stability to this asset class.

Appetite for more varied products

The survey shows growing interest in ETFs and higher-yielding products that go beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, illustrating investors' focus on diversification and income potential:

• Around 80% of APAC HNWIs are interested in ETFs offering broader crypto exposure, with Solana attracting the most attention at 52%.
• Multi-asset index products appeal to 48% of respondents, while 41% show interest in XRP, reflecting a desire for more diversified crypto allocations.
• Around 70% said they would increase their crypto holdings if ETFs included staking returns or other income features, highlighting the appeal of products combining growth and earnings potential.

The survey itself relied on a group of highly experienced investors, collecting opinions from 270 high net worth individuals across ten Asia-Pacific countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand. Most participants have over a decade of experience in the markets, with around 20% having been active for over 20 years. Notably, 95% identified themselves as independent investors rather than representatives of institutions, highlighting a mature and autonomous investor base.

Crypto regulation remains a key obstacle

Gerald Goh, co-founder and CEO APAC of Sygnum, noted that digital assets have become a significant part of private wealth portfolios across the region. However, the report clearly highlights that growth is still hampered by regulatory uncertainty, with gaps in asset protection, uneven licensing standards and different rules across markets, which continue to discourage deeper participation by some investors.

Despite these challenges, Goh said the regulatory framework in Asia is designed to guide growth responsibly rather than simply restricting it. He cited the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which has tightened licensing rules, increased capital requirements and limited retail participation in measured ways to strengthen the crypto ecosystem rather than shut it down. According to Goh, this ensures that companies meeting the standards operate at a fully institutional level.