61% of Singapore's Finance-Savvy Investors Choose Trust Over Low Fees: Survey

Survey Reveals Singapore's Maturing Crypto Market

With 61% of financially savvy Singaporeans now holding cryptocurrency, a comprehensive new survey reveals a mature market where trust and regulatory compliance matter more than low fees. The study, released on Thursday by financial comparison platform MoneyHero in partnership with a major cryptocurrency exchange, surveyed 3,513 retail investors and crypto-curious adults across Singapore.

The findings mark one of the strongest adoption levels recorded in the country to date, demonstrating Singapore's position as a leading hub for digital asset investment in Asia. This high adoption rate among finance-savvy individuals reflects the growing mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate asset class within sophisticated investor circles.

Among those investors surveyed, trust ranked as the top factor when choosing a trading platform, notably surpassing considerations such as low fees, rewards programs, and ease of use. This preference shift signals a fundamental change in how Singaporean investors approach cryptocurrency trading, moving away from purely cost-driven decisions toward platforms that offer robust security, regulatory compliance, and long-term reliability.

The survey results point to a significant maturation in Singapore's approach to digital assets. Market participants are increasingly prioritizing regulated environments, clear consumer protections, and platforms with established track records. This evolution reflects broader trends in the global cryptocurrency market, where institutional-grade security and regulatory compliance are becoming baseline expectations rather than premium features.

Social Media Tops as Learning Channel for Singapore Crypto Investors

The survey reveals important insights into investor behavior and education patterns within Singapore's crypto community. A substantial 58% of respondents identify as long-term holders, demonstrating a strategic investment approach rather than speculative trading. Furthermore, 42% have maintained their cryptocurrency investments for more than two years, indicating sustained conviction in digital assets as a viable investment vehicle.

Despite their commitment to cryptocurrency, Singaporean investors maintain a relatively conservative allocation strategy. Most respondents keep their crypto holdings under 10% of their total investment portfolios, with an average of three different tokens held per investor. This measured approach suggests that while adoption is high, investors are practicing prudent risk management and portfolio diversification.

While ownership rates are impressive among financially literate participants, significant growth potential remains. According to the survey, 27% of current non-holders indicated plans to enter the cryptocurrency market within the next 12 months. This steady pipeline of new investors suggests continued expansion of Singapore's retail crypto market throughout the coming year.

Public perception of digital assets remains mixed, reflecting the ongoing debate about cryptocurrency's role in modern finance. Among respondents, 44% view crypto as a legitimate asset class comparable to stocks or bonds, while nearly one-third still perceive it as primarily speculative in nature. This divided sentiment highlights the ongoing education challenge facing the industry.

When examining how Singaporeans learn about cryptocurrency, social media emerged as the dominant channel, with 62% citing it as their primary source of information. While this presents significant opportunities for educational outreach and community building, researchers noted it also carries inherent risks of misinformation and unverified claims spreading rapidly.

Friends and family ranked as the second most common learning channel at 55%, demonstrating the importance of personal networks in cryptocurrency adoption. Mainstream news sources followed at 43%, indicating traditional media still plays a meaningful role in shaping public understanding of digital assets.

Confidence levels among investors were evenly divided: 48% reported feeling confident in their understanding of cryptocurrency fundamentals and market dynamics, while 52% acknowledged lacking confidence. This split suggests substantial room for improved investor education initiatives and more accessible learning resources.

MAS Oversight and Institutional Support Drive Singapore's Crypto Growth

The survey arrives as Singapore continues to strengthen its regulatory oversight of digital assets under the Payment Services Act, enforced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This comprehensive framework requires all digital payment token service providers to obtain proper licensing and comply with strict anti-money-laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) rules.

Singapore's clear and well-defined regulatory framework has helped cement its position as one of Asia's most active blockchain hubs, even as authorities maintain a conservative approach to retail trading. The combination of strict consumer safeguards and strong support for institutional digital finance continues to attract major international firms seeking a stable regulatory environment.

In 2024, MAS issued 13 new cryptocurrency licenses, more than doubling the number granted the previous year. These licenses went to major crypto platforms including several international exchanges, demonstrating Singapore's growing importance as a regional hub for compliant cryptocurrency operations. This expansion reflects both increasing demand for regulated services and MAS's confidence in its supervisory framework.

However, MAS's firm supervisory approach remained evident throughout 2025. Mid-year, two major cryptocurrency platforms began preparing to scale down their Singapore operations after receiving final warnings from the regulator to stop serving overseas clients without proper authorization. This enforcement action demonstrates Singapore's unwavering insistence on regulatory compliance, even as the broader market continues to expand.

Singapore's digital asset ecosystem now extends well beyond traditional cryptocurrency trading. MAS recently began piloting tokenized MAS bills settled with a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC), exploring how blockchain technology can modernize traditional financial instruments. Additionally, Singapore's three largest banks—DBS, OCBC, and UOB—successfully completed interbank lending trials using a CBDC-based settlement system, demonstrating real-world applications of digital currency technology in mainstream banking.

International collaboration is also expanding. MAS has partnered with Vietnam's State Securities Commission to support regulatory development for capital markets and digital assets, sharing Singapore's expertise in creating balanced regulatory frameworks that protect consumers while fostering innovation.

Corporate participation in Singapore's crypto ecosystem is growing substantially. Major department-store chain Metro recently introduced stablecoin payment options via Dtcpay, enabling customers to make purchases using USDT, USDC, and WUSD. This mainstream retail adoption represents a significant milestone in cryptocurrency's journey from niche investment to everyday payment method.

The stablecoin market has seen particularly impressive growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Circle reported that the region processed $2.4 trillion in on-chain stablecoin flows between June 2024 and June 2025, with Singapore ranking among the world's top three stablecoin hubs. This massive transaction volume underscores Singapore's critical role in the global digital asset infrastructure.

Institutional infrastructure continues expanding in parallel with retail adoption. A leading exchange recently launched its business platform in Singapore, marking its first international rollout. The platform offers local startups and businesses tools for instant USDC payments and seamless global transfers, addressing a critical need for efficient cross-border payment solutions.

This launch followed the company's participation in MAS's BLOOM Initiative, a regulatory sandbox program designed to facilitate compliant cross-border payment innovations. Such initiatives demonstrate how Singapore's regulatory approach encourages innovation while maintaining strict oversight.

Despite macroeconomic caution reflected in some broader market surveys, Singapore's financially savvy investors appear to be holding steady in their cryptocurrency commitments. Independent Reserve's February 2025 report showed overall cryptocurrency ownership among the general population falling to 29%, suggesting some cooling in mainstream enthusiasm.

However, among finance-savvy Singaporeans—those with deeper understanding of investment principles and market dynamics—adoption rates remain robust at 61%. This divergence highlights an important trend: as the market matures, cryptocurrency investment is increasingly concentrated among educated, informed investors who prioritize trust, security, and regulatory compliance over speculative gains.

The survey's findings paint a picture of a maturing market where short-term speculation is giving way to long-term strategic investment. As Singapore continues refining its regulatory framework and expanding its digital asset infrastructure, trust is playing a more central role than ever in shaping investor decisions and platform selection.

FAQ

Why do Singapore investors prioritize trust over low fees?

Singapore investors prioritize trust because regulatory compliance and platform security directly protect their assets and investments. In crypto markets, trustworthy platforms with transparent operations and strong security measures reduce risk of fund loss, making them worth premium fees compared to unregulated alternatives.

What specific aspects of 'trust' does this survey refer to?

The survey's 'trust' encompasses platform security, regulatory compliance, transparent operations, reliable custody of assets, and consistent execution of services. Singapore's finance-savvy investors prioritize these trust factors over competitive fee structures when selecting crypto platforms.

What factors do Singapore investors prioritize when selecting financial products?

Singapore's finance-savvy investors prioritize trust and credibility as the top factor, with 61% choosing trustworthiness over low fees. Security, transparent operations, regulatory compliance, and strong track records are also critical considerations in their financial product selection decisions.

Why haven't low-fee investment products attracted more Singapore investors?

Singapore's finance-savvy investors prioritize trust, security, and quality service over fees alone. They value platform reliability, regulatory compliance, and professional support more than marginal cost savings, making established, trustworthy providers their preferred choice.

How do investors evaluate and determine whether a financial institution is trustworthy?

Investors assess trustworthiness through regulatory compliance, transparent operations, security certifications, proven track record, independent audits, customer reviews, and strong capital reserves. Established institutions with long operational history and institutional backing demonstrate reliability.

How should investors balance their choice between trust and cost?

Prioritize platform security and regulatory compliance first—trust is fundamental to protecting your assets. Lower fees matter, but they're secondary to a provider's track record, insurance coverage, and transparency. Quality custody and proven reliability justify reasonable costs.