The Financial Services Authority (OJK) recently announced that the number of crypto investors in Indonesia had reached 14.16 million as of April 2025, an increase of 3.28% compared to the previous month of 13.71 million investors. 

The total value of crypto asset transactions reached IDR 35.61 trillion, up 9.73% compared to March 2025, which recorded IDR 32.45 trillion. 

Robby, Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of Reku and also Chairman of the Indonesian Crypto Traders Association–Indonesian Blockchain Association (Aspakrindo-ABI), stated that this increase is a positive signal and brings Indonesia closer to becoming the crypto hub of Asia. According to The 2024 Geography of Crypto Report by Chainalysis, Indonesia ranks third globally in crypto adoption. 

The report highlights Indonesia’s strength in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and retail DeFi sectors. This reflects high activity from retail investors in decentralized financial transactions. 

Indonesia moved up from fifth place the previous year. Meanwhile, the United States ranked only fourth globally, despite having a large crypto service ecosystem. However, Robby believes Indonesia still needs to boost innovation in the blockchain and Web3 industries to accelerate the sector’s growth. 

"Currently, crypto assets in Indonesia are no longer viewed merely as commodities but as investment instruments. This opens up prospects for more diverse innovations, which can enhance investor appetite in Indonesia," said Robby in a written statement, Monday, June 9. 

He believes that crypto assets can serve as more inclusive investment instruments for Indonesians, attracting investors with varying risk profiles, both retail and corporate. The blockchain technology behind crypto assets also holds vast potential across sectors ranging from finance to education. 

"The use of blockchain technology can also be supported by crypto businesses, associations, universities, and communities. Blockchain has the potential to become a revolutionary technology that must be advanced through research and education," Robby said. 

The Regulator’s Role in Driving Innovation 

To encourage innovation, regulators play a key role in facilitating the sustainable growth of the crypto industry. 

"Regulators have a comprehensive role, including supervision, licensing, consumer protection, and developing regulations in line with technological growth," he added. 

Industry players have also proposed up-to-date studies on the crypto and blockchain industry beyond buying and selling activities through the regulatory sandbox provided by OJK. 

Robby stated that Reku, along with the association and various stakeholders, is ready to support innovation development in the crypto and blockchain industries through education and dialogue with regulators. "In terms of classification, crypto assets are now on par with other financial assets," Robby said. 

He added that industry players hope the existing innovations in crypto assets can be further developed, both in services and in the variety of investment products in the future. 

This article is published in partnership with Katadata 

Original article here