HK and Singapore’s mega-wealthy are eyeing crypto investments: KPMG

Hong Kong and Singapore’s wealthy elite seem to be searching at digital assets with fervor following a new report from KPMG suggesting over 90% of family offices and-internet-worth individuals (HNWI) are curious about purchasing digital assets space and have already done this. 

According for an March. 24 report from KPMG China and Aspen Digital entitled “Investing in Digital Assets,” around 58% of family offices and HNWI of respondents inside a recent survey happen to be purchasing digital assets, and 34% “plan to do this.”

Laptop computer required the heart beat from 30 family offices and HNWIs in Hong Kong and Singapore with most respondents managing assets between $ten million to $500 million.

KPMG stated the big crypto uptake one of the ultra-wealthy has elevated confidence within the sector, spurred by the rise in “mainstream institutional attention.”

Additionally, it noted institutions also provide more ease of access to digital asset lending options, including controlled products.

Singapore’s largest bank, DBS, announced in Sept that these were expanding crypto services on its digital exchange (DDEx) to roughly 100,000 wealth clients who meet the requirements around their earnings to become classed as accredited investors, making certain adherence towards the financial authorities’ view that crypto assets aren’t appropriate for retail investors.

Meanwhile, Crypto exchange Coinhako announced in October that they are among a small amount of firms to get permission in the Financial Authority of Singapore (MAS) to provide Digital Payment Token services.

However, the allocations remain relatively small, with many allocating under 5% of the portfolio to digital assets — mainly in Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and stablecoins.

Respondents reported market volatility and difficulties in accurate valuation and insufficient regulatory clearness on digital assets continue being a hurdle to purchase of the sphere.

“As digital assets are a newcomer, there’s still some uncertainty among FOs and HNWIs about purchasing the sphere, particularly regarding regulation and valuation,” authored the report’s authors. 

However, KMPG noted that regulatory clearness within the two countries might be altering for that better.

“For example, all virtual asset providers (VASPs) in Hong Kong will need to obtain a license by March 2024. Singapore can also be intending to broaden its cryptocurrency rules.”

Hong Kong securities regulator lately announced it really wants to allow retail investors to invest directly in digital assets and also to reconsider current crypto buying and selling needs.

Related: Coinbase gains in-principle approval for Singapore crypto license

The Financial Authority of Singapore (MAS) continues to be expanding crypto buying and selling for accredited investors and many exchanges receiving preliminary approval to supply Digital Payment Token services within the city-condition.

Earlier this year, Anchorage Digital co-founder and president Diogo Mónica stated his company has selected Singapore like a “jump point” in to the wider Asia market because the country includes a strong regulatory atmosphere.

“It’s about finding yourself in a regime that’s friendly towards crypto which companies wish to accomplish business in. We’re institutional only, institutions are likely to Singapore, so we’re following suit.”

Latest stories

You might also like...