Growing familiarity with digital assets and blockchain technology is reshaping investor behavior, with Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum reporting that diversification has become the dominant investment motive, overtaking speculative bets on long-term megatrends.
Digital assets are now viewed as legitimate portfolio diversifiers, driving investors toward discretionary mandates that can adapt to shifting market conditions, the bank said in a report on Tuesday.
Bitcoin’s store-of-value narrative remains central, fueled by sovereign debt concerns, inflation risks and de-dollarization trends, while altcoins have suffered from liquidations that erased half a trillion dollars in value earlier this year, the report noted.
Despite strong interest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fourth quarter allocations have been delayed as market catalysts, including regulatory approvals and new product launches, have yet to materialize, the bank said.
Investors are increasingly drawn to actively managed and hybrid strategies over single-token exposure, a sign of growing caution ahead of what many expect to be a volatile 2026.
Sygnum notes that more than 70% of respondents would increase ETF allocations if staking were permitted, particularly in solana and multi-asset products.
Regulatory clarity remains the biggest barrier to further adoption, surpassing volatility as the chief concern, especially in Europe, according to the report. Security and custody continue to rank high on investor priorities, underscoring the need for reliable infrastructure before traditional investors move deeper into the sector.
The Sygnum survey was compiled from 1,000 respondents across 43 countries, with the majority based in Europe and Asia and averaging over a decade of investment experience.
Read more: Swiss Bank Sygnum to Launch Bitcoin-Backed Loan Platform With Multi-Sig Wallet Control
