61% of Finance-Savvy Investors in Singapore Prioritize Trust Over Low Fees: Survey

A recent survey indicates that Singapore’s retail cryptocurrency market is evolving, as investors shift their focus from merely seeking low-cost platforms to selecting exchanges they can trust. Conducted by financial comparison site MoneyHero and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, the study reveals intriguing insights into the preferences of investors in Singapore.

Key Takeaways

Adoption Rate: 61% of “finance-savvy” Singaporeans now own cryptocurrency, showcasing strong market adoption.
Trust vs. Cost: Trust is the primary factor for selecting trading platforms, outpacing considerations like fees and rewards.
Investor Maturity: 58% of respondents identify as long-term holders, and 42% have invested for over two years.
Portfolio Allocation: Respondents generally allocate less than 10% of their portfolios to crypto, averaging three different tokens.
Education Sources: 62% of investors rely on social media for learning about cryptocurrencies, highlighting potential misinformation risks.

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

Growing Trust Among Singapore’s Crypto Investors

The survey, which involved 3,513 retail investors and those interested in cryptocurrency, found that 61% of participants now hold crypto assets, indicating one of the highest levels of adoption seen in the region.

Social Media Tops as Learning Channel for Singapore Crypto Investors

Trust is Paramount

For these investors, trust emerges as the most significant criterion when selecting a trading platform, surpassing low fees, rewards, and ease of use. This trend highlights a shift in Singapore, where market participants are increasingly prioritizing well-regulated platforms that offer solid consumer protections and long-term reliability.

The survey results also reflect a more mature investor demographic, with 58% identifying as long-term holders of their investments, and 42% having maintained their positions for more than two years.

Perception of Digital Assets

Conservative Crypto Allocation

While many financially educated participants own cryptocurrency, there remains potential for further growth in the market. Approximately 27% of those who do not currently hold crypto plan to invest within the next 12 months. However, perceptions of digital assets vary—44% consider crypto a legitimate asset class, while nearly one-third view it as speculative.

When it comes to education, the majority of investors (62%) rely on social media to learn about cryptocurrency. This reliance presents both opportunities and challenges, as it can also expose them to misinformation.

Friends and family are cited as learning sources by 55% of respondents, while 43% reference mainstream news. Confidence levels in understanding cryptocurrency are fairly split, with 48% feeling confident and 52% not.

Regulatory Framework Supporting Growth in Singapore

The survey results come at a time when Singapore continues to enhance its regulatory framework for digital assets under the Payment Services Act, overseen by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This legislation mandates that all digital payment token service providers acquire licenses and adhere to strict anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations.

MAS's Role in Shaping Crypto Landscape

Singapore’s robust regulatory environment has solidified its status as a leading blockchain hub in Asia, even as authorities maintain a cautious approach to retail trading. Strict consumer protections and active institutional digital finance support are attracting significant firms to the market.

In 2024, MAS awarded 13 new crypto licenses, more than doubling the previous year's tally. Notable platforms such as OKX, Upbit, and Anchorage received licenses, which reflects the authority’s commitment to a compliant ecosystem.

Amid a wider market expansion, MAS’s strict oversight became apparent in mid-2025 when Bitget and Bybit faced warnings to halt unauthorized service to overseas clients.

Corporate Growth in Cryptocurrency

Expanding Digital Asset Activities

Singapore's digital asset activities are not limited to trading. MAS has recently begun piloting tokenized bills settled with a wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Additionally, major banks like DBS, OCBC, and UOB have tested interbank lending using a CBDC platform.

Furthermore, MAS has partnered with Vietnam's State Securities Commission to enhance regulatory frameworks for capital markets and digital assets.

Corporate participation is also on the rise, with retail chain Metro enabling stablecoin payments through Dtcpay, allowing purchases in USDT, USDC, and WUSD.

It is noteworthy that Circle reported Asia-Pacific regions experienced a massive $2.4 trillion flow in on-chain stablecoins between June 2024 and June 2025, positioning Singapore among the world's top three stablecoin markets.

Coinbase is adding to this by launching Coinbase Business, its first international service, which provides local startups with tools for immediate USDC payments and global transactions. This launch aligns with Coinbase’s involvement in MAS’s BLOOM Initiative for compliant cross-border payments.

Despite some economic uncertainties highlighted in other reports, Independent Reserve found that overall cryptocurrency ownership dipped to 29% among Singapore’s general populace as of February 2025. However, it appears that finance-savvy individuals are holding steady, attributing significant importance to trust in their investment decisions.