Asian private wealth has decisively shifted into digital assets with traditional wealth managers expected to follow the trend, according to the by a report on high-net worth individuals (HNWIs) in the Asia Pacific (APAC) by Sygnum Singapore.
The survey of more than 270 HNWIs and professional investors across 10 APAC markets shows that nearly half of respondents allocate over 10 percent of their portfolios to crypto, with median HNWI holdings in the 10–20 percent range.
The findings highlight a clear maturation in how Asian private wealth views digital assets. An overwhelming 90 percent of surveyed HNWIs now consider digital assets important for long-term wealth preservation and legacy planning, moving well beyond speculative use cases. Portfolio diversification drives 56 percent of investment decisions, overtaking short-term trading and megatrend exposure.
HNWIs also demonstrate a disciplined, institutional approach to allocation, showing strong interest in actively managed exposure, outsourced mandates and yield-generating strategies. The focus is on integrating digital assets within existing wealth structures—not treating them as isolated positions.
“Digital assets are now firmly embedded within APAC’s private wealth ecosystem. Singapore’s MAS framework and Hong Kong’s advancing digital asset regulations have built the infrastructure needed for traditional wealth managers to offer crypto services—the question is no longer whether private banks will serve this demand, but when,” said Gerald Goh, Sygnum Co-Founder and APAC CEO.
“Despite near-term macro uncertainty, we continue to see accelerating adoption driven by strategic portfolio diversification, intergenerational wealth planning and demand for institutional-grade products. APAC is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most important digital asset gateways, and we expect this momentum to strengthen into 2026,” he added.
Strong demand for ETFs and yield-enhanced products
Interest extends well beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum: 80 percent of APAC HNWIs want access to additional digital asset ETFs. Solana follows with 52 percent demand, alongside significant interest in multi-asset index products (48 percent) and XRP (41 percent). Notably, 70 percent of respondents say they would allocate or increase allocations if staking yield were built into ETF products—highlighting APAC investors’ preference for regulated, yield-enhanced vehicles that integrate seamlessly with traditional portfolios.
While 60 percent intend to increase allocations over time, many are adopting a cautious entry strategy following recent market corrections. Key barriers include regulatory uncertainty, custody and security concerns, and differing licensing regimes across the region. Nonetheless, long-term conviction remains strong, supported by rising on-chain activity, continued ETF market development and improving regulatory clarity.
“HNWIs in Singapore and across APAC are embracing digital assets as a genuine vehicle for wealth creation and preservation. Their disciplined, intergenerational approach—combined with a higher appetite for innovation—is driving substantial allocations, particularly within Singapore’s well-regulated MAS framework that provides the institutional safeguards these investors expect,” said Lucas Schweiger, report author and Sygnum Crypto Asset Ecosystem Research Lead.
About the report
Sygnum’s APAC HNWI Report 2025 surveyed more than 270 high-net-worth and professional investors (95 percent independent market participants) across 10 APAC markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand.
Over half of respondents have more than a decade of investment experience, with 20 percent active for over 20 years. The findings point to a rapidly maturing private wealth segment that is integrating digital assets as a core component of long-term wealth and portfolio strategy.
Their disciplined approach is evident; HNWIs showed stronger interest in actively managed exposure, outsourced mandates and even yield strategies. The emphasis is on integration with existing wealth structures, not isolated positions.
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