What to Know

  • B2C2 has appointed Jason Lai, former chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore.
  • The institutional crypto liquidity provider is targeting deeper relationships with family offices, funds and asset managers across Asia-Pacific.
  • Lai founded Thirdrock Group in 2009 before Schroders acquired the independent wealth and asset manager in 2019.
  • After the acquisition, Lai served as CEO of Schroders’ Asian wealth management unit and later as chairman, retiring from Schroders in 2026.
  • B2C2 was founded in 2015 and provides institutional liquidity and execution across spot, derivatives, structured products and over-the-counter markets.
  • The company serves banks, exchanges, brokers, hedge funds and asset managers through proprietary trading technology.
  • Boston Consulting Group estimates Asia’s total assets under management will reach $99 trillion by 2029.
  • Goldman Sachs data indicates roughly one-third of family offices globally already have cryptocurrency exposure.
  • APAC was the world’s fastest-growing region for onchain activity in the year through June 2025, with transaction volume rising 69% to $2.36 trillion, according to Chainalysis.
  • B2C2 is 90% owned by Japan’s SBI Holdings and is expanding across institutional liquidity, payments and wealth services in the region.

B2C2 Strengthens Asia Wealth Push With Jason Lai Appointment

B2C2 has hired Jason Lai, the former chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore, marking a notable step in the institutional crypto liquidity provider’s effort to build deeper links with Asia-Pacific wealth managers, family offices, funds and asset managers. The appointment places a long-established private wealth figure inside one of the crypto market’s best-known institutional liquidity firms at a time when digital assets are becoming a more prominent topic across the region’s professional investment circles.

Lai brings experience from both independent wealth management and a major global asset manager. He founded Thirdrock Group, an independent wealth and asset manager, in 2009. Schroders acquired the business in 2019, after which Lai became CEO of Schroders’ Asian wealth management unit and later served as chairman. He retired from Schroders in 2026. His move to B2C2 adds traditional wealth management expertise to a firm whose core business sits at the intersection of market making, execution and institutional access to crypto markets.

For B2C2, the appointment is not simply a personnel change. It signals how the firm is positioning itself in Asia-Pacific, where digital asset infrastructure, private wealth demand and regulatory competition are developing at the same time. Singapore and Hong Kong remain key financial centers for the region, and both have been working to define regulated pathways for digital asset activity. That backdrop has made Asia an increasingly important arena for firms seeking to serve institutional investors that want exposure to crypto without relying on retail-style platforms or fragmented execution channels.

Why Asia’s Family Offices Matter to Crypto Liquidity Firms

Family offices have become an increasingly important client segment for crypto companies because they often combine long-term capital, flexible mandates and a willingness to assess emerging asset classes. While risk tolerance varies widely, many family offices have moved beyond simply asking whether digital assets belong in portfolios and are now focused on implementation, custody, liquidity, governance and reporting. For firms such as B2C2, that shift creates demand for institutional-grade trading access rather than speculative, platform-driven engagement.

Goldman Sachs data indicates that roughly one-third of family offices globally already have exposure to cryptocurrencies. That does not mean digital assets are universally accepted across private wealth portfolios, but it does show that crypto has moved into a more established conversation among sophisticated investors. In Asia, where wealth creation, cross-border capital flows and technology adoption are closely linked, digital assets are increasingly being evaluated alongside other alternative investments.

Boston Consulting Group estimates that total assets under management in Asia will reach $99 trillion by 2029. That scale explains why institutional crypto firms are competing for relevance with wealth managers, private banks, hedge funds and asset allocators in the region. Even a cautious or partial allocation trend can become significant when applied to such a large asset base. For liquidity providers, the opportunity is tied not only to outright crypto buying but also to structured products, hedging tools, over-the-counter execution and payment-related use cases.

Institutional Infrastructure Takes Center Stage

B2C2 was founded in 2015 and operates as an institutional crypto market maker and liquidity provider. The firm serves banks, exchanges, brokers, hedge funds and asset managers, using proprietary trading technology to provide round-the-clock liquidity and execution. Its offering spans spot markets, derivatives, structured products and over-the-counter activity, areas that have become more important as professional investors demand execution quality, risk management and customized trading solutions.

Institutional crypto liquidity differs from retail crypto access in several important ways. Large investors often require predictable execution, deep order books, bilateral relationships, credit arrangements and the ability to transact without causing unnecessary market impact. They may also need strategies that combine spot exposure with derivatives, or products designed around volatility, yield, downside protection or portfolio rebalancing. These requirements can make a dedicated liquidity provider more relevant than a simple exchange interface.

Lai’s appointment therefore fits into a broader industry pattern. Crypto firms that previously focused mainly on trading technology are increasingly adding people with backgrounds in private banking, asset management and wealth advisory. The goal is to translate digital asset products into frameworks that traditional investors already understand. In Asia, where family offices and private wealth platforms may be highly sophisticated but cautious about counterparty and regulatory risks, relationship-driven credibility can be as important as trading infrastructure.

APAC Growth Highlights the Size of the Opportunity

Asia-Pacific has become one of the most dynamic regions for digital asset activity. Chainalysis data shows APAC was the world’s fastest-growing region for onchain activity in the year through June 2025, with transaction volume rising 69% to $2.36 trillion. That growth reflects a mix of retail participation, institutional experimentation, payments activity and trading demand across multiple jurisdictions.

India led global adoption rankings in the Chainalysis data, while Singapore and Hong Kong have been competing to establish themselves as regulated digital-asset hubs. For market participants, this creates a diverse regional landscape rather than a single unified market. India offers scale, Singapore offers a strong institutional and regulatory environment, and Hong Kong remains an important gateway for capital markets activity. A firm operating across Asia-Pacific must therefore navigate different client types, rules, liquidity needs and product preferences.

B2C2’s strategy appears aligned with that complexity. The firm is expanding its APAC business across institutional liquidity, payments and wealth, supported by its parent SBI Holdings. Japan’s SBI Holdings owns 90% of B2C2, linking the liquidity provider to a broader financial group with digital asset ambitions. That ownership structure may be relevant as B2C2 pursues institutional growth in a region where trusted financial relationships and balance-sheet strength can matter to large clients.

Leadership Buildout Continues in the Region

Lai’s appointment follows a series of B2C2 hires in Asia under APAC CEO David Rogers, including Laura Teo as Singapore country head. The leadership buildout suggests B2C2 is investing in local and regional coverage rather than treating Asia-Pacific as an extension of a global trading desk. For institutional clients, especially family offices and asset managers, local presence can be important when evaluating counterparties, discussing risk controls and understanding how digital asset products fit within broader mandates.

Lai said Asia’s wealthiest families and managers are increasingly investing in digital assets, and that B2C2 has the liquidity and execution infrastructure this client base needs. The comment captures the central commercial thesis behind the hire: as private wealth and professional allocators increase their engagement with crypto, they will need institutional market access rather than fragmented retail-style liquidity.

Still, growth in institutional crypto adoption is not linear. Family offices and asset managers may remain selective, particularly around regulation, custody, volatility, counterparty risk and portfolio sizing. Some may use digital assets tactically, while others may explore structured exposure or wait for further regulatory clarity. That makes advisory and relationship expertise valuable, because the opportunity depends on education, trust and execution discipline as much as market access.

Competitive Stakes for Institutional Crypto in Asia

B2C2’s Asia-Pacific push comes as crypto market infrastructure firms compete to win the next wave of professional capital. The region combines large wealth pools with high digital engagement and multiple policy models. For firms operating in liquidity and execution, the challenge is to serve clients that may be experienced in traditional markets but still relatively new to crypto’s market structure.

The company has also been the subject of market attention beyond its hiring plans. B2C2 has held takeover talks with several potential acquirers over the past 18 months, according to people with knowledge of the matter cited in market coverage. While those discussions do not define the company’s current strategy, they highlight the broader strategic value attached to institutional crypto liquidity businesses as digital assets become more embedded in financial markets.

For now, the appointment of Lai reinforces B2C2’s focus on Asia’s private wealth and institutional channels. With regional assets under management projected to reach $99 trillion by 2029 and onchain activity growing rapidly, firms with strong execution capabilities are trying to position themselves before digital assets become a more standard component of wealth and asset management portfolios.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has B2C2 appointed in Singapore?

B2C2 has appointed Jason Lai, the former chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore.

Why is Jason Lai’s appointment important for B2C2?

The appointment gives B2C2 additional private wealth and asset management expertise as the firm seeks deeper relationships with family offices, funds and asset managers across Asia-Pacific.

What was Jason Lai’s role before joining B2C2?

Lai founded Thirdrock Group in 2009, later joined Schroders after its 2019 acquisition of the firm, and served as CEO of Schroders’ Asian wealth management unit before becoming chairman.

What does B2C2 do?

B2C2 is an institutional crypto market maker and liquidity provider that serves banks, exchanges, brokers, hedge funds and asset managers across spot, derivatives, structured products and over-the-counter markets.

Why is Asia-Pacific important for crypto companies?

Asia-Pacific has shown strong growth in digital asset activity, with Chainalysis data showing transaction volume rising 69% to $2.36 trillion in the year through June 2025.

How large is the wealth opportunity in Asia?

Boston Consulting Group estimates that total assets under management in Asia will reach $99 trillion by 2029, making the region a major focus for institutional financial firms.

Are family offices already investing in cryptocurrencies?

Goldman Sachs data indicates that roughly one-third of family offices globally already have exposure to cryptocurrencies, although allocation approaches and risk appetite vary.

Who owns B2C2?

B2C2 is 90% owned by Japan’s SBI Holdings, which has been pursuing a broader push into digital assets.

What areas is B2C2 targeting in Asia-Pacific?

B2C2 is targeting growth across institutional liquidity, payments and services for family offices as part of its Asia-Pacific expansion.

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