Key facts
- B2C2 has appointed Jason Lai, former chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore.
- Lai is a veteran of Asia's private wealth industry and founded Thirdrock Group.
- The appointment aims to deepen B2C2's engagement with family offices, funds, and asset managers in Asia-Pacific.
- Asia is a key growth region for crypto, with significant on-chain activity and increasing institutional interest.
- B2C2 is backed by Japan's SBI Holdings and is expanding its services in the region.
Institutional crypto liquidity provider B2C2 has appointed Jason Lai, the former chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore. This strategic hire aims to bolster B2C2's presence and services for family offices, funds, and asset managers across the Asia-Pacific region.
Lai brings extensive experience from Asia's private wealth sector, having founded Thirdrock Group, which was later acquired by Schroders. He served in leadership roles at Schroders' Asian wealth management unit before retiring in 2026. His appointment coincides with a notable increase in digital asset exposure among traditional wealth managers and family offices in Asia.
Asia is emerging as a critical intersection for retail and institutional crypto ambitions. The region recorded the fastest growth in on-chain activity globally in the year through June 2025, with transaction volumes reaching $2.36 trillion. Singapore and Hong Kong are actively positioning themselves as regulated digital asset hubs, intensifying competition among firms targeting wealthy investors and financial institutions.
Lai expressed confidence in B2C2's capabilities, stating, "Asia's wealthiest families and managers are increasingly investing in digital assets. B2C2 has the liquidity and execution infrastructure this client base needs." His recruitment follows other recent hires in Asia by B2C2 under APAC CEO David Rogers.
B2C2, which is 90% owned by Japan's SBI Holdings, is part of SBI's broader digital asset strategy. The firm is focused on expanding its offerings in payments, wholesale liquidity, and family office services within the region. Recent reports also indicate that B2C2 has been in takeover discussions with multiple potential buyers over the past 18 months.