A new independent survey commissioned by Coinbase has delivered one of the clearest snapshots yet of cryptocurrency adoption in one of the world’s most regulated financial hubs: 61% of Singapore residents now hold crypto assets, placing the city-state among the global leaders in mainstream adoption.

The findings, released on November 24, signal that Singapore’s pro-innovation yet tightly supervised regulatory framework is paying off — creating an environment where retail investors feel safe enough to participate, but disciplined enough to treat crypto as a long-term wealth-building tool rather than a speculative casino.

Key Highlights from the Coinbase Singapore Crypto Ownership Survey

• 61% current ownership — up dramatically from earlier estimates and now rivaling adoption rates in traditional crypto-strongholds like the United States and South Korea.
• Youth-driven surge: 70% of crypto owners are under the age of 34, with the highest concentration in the 25–34 demographic.
• Male-dominated but broadening: Young males still dominate (approximately 68% of owners), yet female participation is rising faster than regional peers.
• Trust trumps low fees: When choosing an exchange, 61% of respondents ranked “trust and security” as their top priority — far ahead of trading fees (cited by only 21%). Regulatory licensing and a proven track record were the biggest trust signals.
• Conservative allocation strategy: The majority keep crypto exposure between 1–10% of their total portfolio, reflecting a “digital gold” rather than “moon-or-bust” mindset.
• Long-term conviction: 78% of owners say they are holding for at least 3–5 years or longer, with only 9% actively day-trading.

A Maturing Market Backed by World-Class Regulation

Singapore’s Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has long walked the delicate line between fostering innovation and protecting consumers. The Payment Services Act (2019) and subsequent licensing regime forced exchanges to meet bank-grade AML/KYC, custody, and capital requirements — a hurdle that drove out fly-by-night operators but rewarded reputable platforms.

“Singapore didn’t try to be the Wild West or ban crypto outright — it chose the harder path of building guardrails that actually work,” said Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, in a statement accompanying the survey. “The result is a market where people trust the system enough to put real money in for the long haul.”

Local and international licensed players such as Coinbase, Crypto.com, Independent Reserve, and Gemini have all cited Singapore as one of their fastest-growing retail markets in Asia-Pacific throughout 2025.

What Singapore Investors Are Buying

Bitcoin and Ethereum remain the undisputed leaders, together accounting for roughly 82% of portfolio allocation. Stablecoins (primarily USDC and USDT) rank third, followed by a modest but growing slice of layer-1 alternatives (Solana, Polygon) and tokenized real-world assets.

Notably absent from the top holdings: hyper-volatile meme coins. Only 6% of respondents reported any exposure to Dogecoin or newer meme tokens — a stark contrast to markets like Thailand or Indonesia.

The Road Ahead

Industry leaders see the 61% ownership figure as merely the beginning. With national initiatives such as Project Guardian (tokenization of bonds and funds) and the upcoming rollout of licensed stablecoin issuers, analysts expect institutional-grade products to pull in the next wave of conservative wealth.

As one survey respondent (29, financial analyst) summed it up: “In Singapore, crypto isn’t about getting rich tomorrow. It’s about not being left behind in ten years.”

For a market long known for its prudence, that may be the most bullish signal of all.

Survey methodology: Independent research conducted online among 1,008 Singapore residents aged 18+ in October–November 2025, weighted to reflect national demographics.

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