According to a recently published report, 87% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Asia own digital assets, and 60% plan to increase the funds allocated to these assets.
This table illustrates the increasing maturity of the digital asset sector in the region. Wealthy investors in the main markets have started to see cryptocurrencies as an indispensable part of their portfolios.
Asian Wealthy Investors Accelerate Digital Asset Adoption
These findings are taken from Sygnum’s APAC HNWI Report 2025. A survey conducted with over 270 wealthy and professional investors across 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region indicates a profound change in the area: digital assets are becoming a structural element in long-term wealth management strategies.
According to the report, 87% of participants currently have digital assets in their investment portfolios. Additionally, 49% of participants have allocated more than 10% of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies, with a transformative weight of 10-20% among the elite HNWIs group. 60% of them are considering increasing this ratio.
Lucas Schweiger, Research Lead of Sygnum Crypto Asset Ecosystem, stated as the author of the report: ‘HNWIs in Singapore and the broader APAC region are embracing digital assets as a genuine opportunity for wealth creation and preservation. This group, with a disciplined investment and intergenerational perspective, is shifting towards digital assets with a higher risk appetite: Especially the institutional-level protections offered under Singapore’s well-regulated MAS framework meet the expectations of these investors.’
Wealth Preservation Has Outpaced Speculation
The main narrative of the report indicates that Asian private investors are becoming increasingly mature. 90% of participants find digital assets important for long-term wealth preservation and intergenerational planning. Portfolio diversification has now become a motivation ahead of short-term trading and major mega trends.
There is also a notable increase in interest in more refined products. HNWIs are turning towards actively managed strategies, externally managed investment authorities, and return-focused products that fit existing asset structures.
On the other hand, investors expect traditional portfolio managers to keep up with the trend. According to a recent report by BeInCrypto, a significant portion of investors in the U.S. has withdrawn their assets from advisors that do not offer cryptocurrencies.
Gerald Goh, Co-Founder and CEO of Sygnum APAC, said: ‘The framework in Singapore and the developing digital asset regulations in Hong Kong have created the infrastructure that will enable traditional portfolio management companies to offer cryptocurrency services: It is now being discussed not if private banks can meet this demand, but when they will take action.’
Diversification in ETF Demand: Moving Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum
It is also emphasized that demand for exchange-traded funds is particularly high. The report states that 80% of participants want ETFs that offer products beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Solana stands out: 52% of participants request access to this asset.
Following this, multi-asset crypto indices at 48% and XRP at 41% come next. An important detail is that 70% of participants indicate that they would open new positions or increase their current positions if staking returns were added to ETF structures.
However, Sygnum expresses that due to the recent volatility, investors are approaching the market with more caution.
Uncertain regulations, custody and security concerns, along with changing licensing requirements between countries continue to limit broader participation in the sector.
Still, long-term confidence has not been shaken. 57% of HNWIs and 61% of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) expect a bullish or strong upward movement in the cryptocurrency market in the long term. The basis of this confidence lies in the deepening integration between cryptocurrencies and traditional finance.
Goh emphasizes that the APAC region is rapidly progressing towards becoming one of the world's fastest-growing and most influential digital asset hubs. He expects the region to increase this momentum as it moves towards 2026.
