Crypto in Singapore 2025: Powered By Youth Interest, Crypto is Going Mainstream
Updated: 21 Nov 2025
Written bySingSaver Team
Team
Disclaimer
The information presented here is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice. No recommendation is being made that any cryptocurrency should be bought, sold, or held by you. Readers should always do their own due diligence and consider their financial goals before investing in any investment product and consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
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From Defi Summer to the NFTs craze and the very public collapse of FTX, cryptocurrency sure has been making headlines. Amid scandalous headlines, Bitcoin – the original cryptocurrency – kept hitting new record highs, even drawing the attention and participation of institutional investors along the way.
While hype in Singapore has been comparably more muted – perhaps due in part to increasingly stringent regulation by the Monetary Authority of Singapore – crypto is far from dead. In fact, powered by strengthening youth interest, crypto in Singapore is going mainstream.
From being a niche interest among early adopters to becoming a mainstream financial asset, cryptocurrency has won a place in the hearts and minds of Singaporean retail investors. This much is apparent when reviewing Pulse of Crypto: Singapore 2025 for this blog post.
Released in September 2025, this joint report by SingSaver and Coinbase offers a deep dive into how Singaporeans are engaging with crypto — from adoption and behavior patterns to trust, learning channels, and future outlook.
Here’s a comprehensive look at what the numbers reveal about Singapore’s burgeoning crypto scene.
Key Highlights at a Glance
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61% of finance-forward Singaporeans now own crypto, showing that digital assets have officially gone mainstream.
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74% of investors allocate less than 10% of their portfolio to crypto, signaling that while interest is growing, caution remains high.
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62% learn about crypto via social media, raising questions about education and misinformation.
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Two-thirds prioritize trust and security over low fees when choosing exchanges.
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58% identify as long-term HODLers, reflecting faith in crypto’s long-term value.
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27% of non-holders plan to invest in the next year, pointing to continued growth potential.
1. Crypto Adoption in Singapore: Mainstream and Youth-Driven
Crypto has entered the mainstream. According to the report, 61% of finance-forward Singaporeans surveyed currently hold cryptocurrency. This marks a significant leap from earlier years when adoption was largely limited to tech enthusiasts and early investors.
Demographics: The Youth Lead the Way
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Over 70% of crypto holders are between 18–34 years old, making crypto a youth-driven phenomenon.
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Among these, 35% are aged 18–24, while another 35% are in the 25–34 range.
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Women are steadily catching up, now making up 32% of all holders, compared to 68% men.
“As digital-native generations come of age, crypto is no longer just a speculative play — it’s a core part of their financial future,” the report notes.
Portfolio Allocation: Small but Strategic
While adoption is widespread, 74% of investors keep crypto holdings under 10% of their total portfolio, signaling a measured approach.
Typical allocation ranges between 6%–12%, suggesting that while interest is strong, most are taking steps to avoid being overexposed to digital assets, on account of their high volatility.
2. How Singaporeans Engage with Crypto
Diversification Trends
The average investor owns three different cryptocurrencies, indicating that diversification is common, though most portfolios remain concentrated in major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
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45% hold 2-3 coins
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20% hold 4-5 coins
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13% hold 6 or more
The median portfolio size is SGD 3,000–5,000, showing that retail participation is meaningful but not highly leveraged.
HODLing vs. Trading
When it comes to strategy, HODLing dominates:
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58% identify as long-term holders, focused on riding out market ups and downs.
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22% engage in occasional trading, potentially acting in accord with hype cycles.
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20% are active traders seeking short-term gains.
This mix suggests Singaporeans are split regarding the long-term prospects of crypto. Just slightly over half see crypto as a long-term asset, while the rest are in it to serve more speculative motives. It will be interesting to see how this evolves as crypto as the current generation of crypto-friendly investors grow older.
3. Trust and Platform Preferences
Trust emerged as a central theme in the report. Two-thirds of respondents prioritise trust and security over low fees, highlighting high awareness of scams in crypto. Importantly, this also signals a credible opportunity for exchanges to value-add by solving security pain points.
Top Recognized Exchanges
Recognition rates show which platforms have built strong reputations:
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Coinbase: 72%
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Binance: 65%
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Crypto.com: 55%
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Gemini: 43%
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OKX: 32%
Interestingly, 36% of users regularly use more than one exchange, suggesting that investors are seeking redundancy, better deals, or broader product offerings.
4. How Singaporeans Learn About Crypto
Education plays a pivotal role in both driving adoption and in combating misinformation. The report reveals that social media is the leading source of crypto knowledge, with 62% of respondents citing it as their primary channel.
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Learning Channel |
% of Respondents |
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Social Media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) |
62% |
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Friends & Family |
55% |
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News / Media Sites |
43% |
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Exchange Blogs |
27% |
Consider this: While social media’s influence has helped spread awareness, it also raises risks of misinformation and hype-driven decisions. Be discerning when choosing social media influencers talking about crypto, and only follow reputable creators.
5. Barriers to Wider Adoption
Despite strong adoption, several barriers remain:
|
Barrier |
% of Respondents |
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Volatility |
68% |
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Lack of Knowledge |
57% |
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Scams / Fraud Concerns |
42% |
|
Regulation Uncertainty |
35% |
Despite the strong levels of adoption seen in recent years, several barriers continue to prevent cryptocurrency from achieving even wider acceptance in Singapore. The most significant challenge is market volatility, which was cited by 68% of respondents. This concern is not surprising, as the crypto market has long been known for its dramatic price swings – discouraging new investors from committing to digital assets, while also reinforcing the perception of crypto as a speculative and unstable investment.
Another major hurdle is the lack of knowledge, highlighted by 57% of respondents. Many Singaporeans remain unsure about how cryptocurrencies work, how to safely invest in them, or how to assess the risks involved. This knowledge gap leaves individuals vulnerable to making poor investment decisions or falling prey to misinformation, particularly when their primary sources of information are social media platforms.
Scams and fraud concerns also weigh heavily on public perception. A total of 42% of respondents pointed to fears of being scammed as a major deterrent. Unfortunately, the crypto industry has seen its share of high-profile fraud cases, from exchange collapses to phishing attacks. These incidents have eroded trust and highlighted the need for stronger consumer protections and regulatory oversight.
Finally, uncertainty around regulation remains a critical barrier for 35% of respondents. While the MAS has been active in creating a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, ongoing changes in policies and global developments can create confusion. Clearer guidelines and consistent enforcement will be essential to build long-term confidence in the market.
Confidence Gap
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48% of respondents feel confident about crypto, while 52% are not confident.
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This split highlights the need for stronger education and trust-building measures from regulators and industry players.
6. Future Growth: What’s Next for Crypto in Singapore?
The growth story isn’t slowing down:
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27% of non-holders plan to invest in the next 12 months.
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44% view crypto as a long-term asset, while 29% see it primarily as a speculative tool.
This shows that while skepticism remains, there’s a strong pipeline of future investors waiting for the right mix of education, trust, and market stability.
7. Key Personas Emerging in the Market
The Pulse of Crypto: Singapore 2025 report identified four distinct personas that capture the diversity of Singapore’s crypto investors. These groups highlight different attitudes toward risk, knowledge, and long-term involvement in the crypto space.
Confident HODLers: The Long-Term Believers
Confident HODLers are experienced investors who see cryptocurrency as a long-term asset. Many have been invested for more than two years, riding through market cycles without exiting quickly. They typically hold multiple coins, reflecting a diversified strategy, and are among the 58% of respondents who identify as long-term holders rather than active traders. These investors place high value on trust, security, and regulation, preferring well-established platforms even if it means paying higher fees
Cautious Newcomers: Testing the Waters
Cautious Newcomers are just starting their crypto journey, often with small portfolios under SGD 3,000. They are part of the 74% of respondents who allocate less than 10% of their portfolio to crypto, signaling limited risk appetite. Their biggest barriers include volatility and lack of knowledge, which were cited as top concerns by 68% and 57% of respondents respectively. Education and step-by-step guidance are crucial to help this group feel confident in their decisions.
Crypto-Curious Skeptics: Hesitant but Interested
Crypto-Curious Skeptics are intrigued by crypto but undecided about investing. The report shows 33% of non-holders fall into this category, while 27% plan to invest in the next 12 months.
Their hesitation often stems from concerns about scams (42%) and regulatory uncertainty (35%), which hold them back from committing funds. Clearer rules and stronger consumer protections are needed to bring this group into the market.
Active Traders: The Short-Term Strategists
Active Traders represent 20% of investors and focus on short-term gains through frequent trades. They are more likely to use multiple exchanges, with 36% of respondents reporting regular activity on more than one platform. This group values low fees, ease of use, and advanced trading features, but still expects strong security and platform reliability.
Why These Personas Matter
These four personas show the diversity of Singapore’s crypto ecosystem, from cautious beginners to seasoned traders. By tailoring education, regulations, and platform design to the needs of each group, Singapore can continue to foster a safe, vibrant, and innovative crypto market.
Conclusion: Opportunities and Implications for Singapore
The findings point to three key imperatives for Singapore’s crypto ecosystem:
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Education: Build comprehensive and accurate learning resources to combat misinformation.
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Trust: Strengthen security measures, regulation, and consumer protection.
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Growth: Foster innovation and responsible adoption to maintain Singapore’s status as a global crypto hub.
Cryptocurrency in Singapore has officially reached the mainstream, with a majority of the population now holding some form of digital asset. What was once a niche interest among tech enthusiasts has become a core part of retail investment portfolios, particularly among younger, digitally savvy generations. This growing adoption signals both opportunity and responsibility for everyone involved in the ecosystem.
The road ahead, however, is not without its challenges. The Pulse of Crypto: Singapore 2025 report makes it clear that trust, education, and measured growth will be the pillars of sustainable progress. While two-thirds of respondents rank security and regulation above low trading fees, concerns about scams, volatility, and regulatory uncertainty remain top barriers to broader participation. Bridging these gaps will require collective action from regulators, platforms, and educators to build a safe and transparent environment for all investors.
At the same time, Singapore’s position as a global financial hub places it in a unique role to lead by example. By fostering innovation through supportive policies while maintaining strong safeguards, Singapore can attract talent and investment, positioning itself at the forefront of Web3 and digital finance. For businesses, understanding the four emerging investor personas — from Confident HODLers to Crypto-Curious Skeptics — will be key to designing tailored services and education pathways.
As the market matures, success will depend on striking the right balance between innovation and stability. The choices made today will shape not only the trajectory of Singapore’s crypto ecosystem but also its reputation as a leader in responsible digital asset growth. With collaboration, transparency, and a focus on long-term value, Singapore can continue to thrive as one of the world’s most vibrant and trusted crypto markets.
About the author
SingSaver Team
At SingSaver, we make personal finance accessible with easy to understand personal finance reads, tools and money hacks that simplify all of life’s financial decisions for you.