[WDAF 2026] Zero crypto exposure is an investment choice: Sygnum

Sygnum co-founder Gerald Goh highlights growing demand for integrated wealth management and opportunities for Korean banks

Keeping digital assets out of an investment portfolio is itself an active investment decision, as wealthy investors increasingly consider how much exposure to cryptocurrencies they should have, according to Gerald Goh, co-founder and Asia-Pacific executive chairman of digital asset banking group Sygnum.

"The decision not to include digital assets, so staying at zero, let's also be clear, that is an active decision," Goh said at the World Digital Assets Forum 2026 in Seoul on Monday.

Speaking during a fireside chat moderated by Yoo Seung-jae, an attorney at Kim & Chang, Goh said the appropriate allocation depends on investors' investment horizons and ability to absorb losses, rather than a fixed percentage suitable for everyone.

His remarks reflect a broader shift in private wealth management, with investors moving beyond simply buying and holding cryptocurrencies toward integrating digital assets into their overall portfolios.

Sygnum initially focused on helping clients hold, trade and convert cryptocurrencies into cash. Many investors kept their digital assets with exchanges or specialized custodians while managing traditional investments through banks and brokerages.