B2C2 taps Schroders veteran to chase Asia’s growing crypto wealth

Institutional crypto liquidity provider B2C2 has brought on board Jason Lai, formerly the chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore. This move aims to strengthen B2C2's relationships with family offices, funds, and asset managers across the Asia-Pacific region. Lai, a seasoned professional in Asia's private wealth sector and the co-founder of Thirdrock Group, had previously held key roles at Schroders, including CEO of the Asian wealth management unit.

B2C2, founded in 2015, serves as a market maker and liquidity provider for banks, exchanges, brokers, hedge funds, and asset managers, offering round-the-clock liquidity across various markets. The appointment of Lai comes as traditional wealth managers and family offices in Asia show growing interest in digital assets. By 2029, total assets under management in the region are projected to reach $99 trillion, with Singapore and Hong Kong playing pivotal roles.

Notably, one-third of family offices already have exposure to cryptocurrencies, as per Goldman Sachs. Asia is witnessing the collision of crypto's retail scale and institutional ambitions, with APAC being the fastest-growing region for on-chain activity in 2025. Lai emphasized that B2C2's liquidity and execution infrastructure cater to the needs of Asia's wealthiest families and managers.

This appointment follows a series of hires by B2C2 in Asia under APAC CEO David Rogers, including Laura Teo as the Singapore country head. With 90% ownership by Japan's SBI Holdings, B2C2 is aligning with its parent group's expansion into digital assets, focusing on payments, wholesale liquidity, and services for family offices in the region.