More than half a year into this pandemic, we hope that you are continuing to stay safe. Whenever we see signs of improvements where we live, we also notice setbacks in other parts of the world. It appears this health crisis is not going away anytime soon.

What is racing ahead without signs of turning back is digitalization, which has become an important part of our lives. In this latest issue of The Asset, we discuss the rise and rise of digital assets, which is our cover feature. Not too long ago, we think of them as part of the cryptocurrency conversation. Yes, Bitcoin has doubled in value from its low in middle of March 2020, which is generating a lot of interest. But digital assets beyond cryptocurrencies are also attracting interest from mainstream investors.

While this may be in part due to recent actions by regulators, the growing understanding of the technology of distributed ledgers that underpin digital assets is moving them into the mainstream of investing. In turn, this has given rise to the custody of digital assets and why in the coming years, they are the new streams of revenue for financial institutions.

This month’s joint issue also showcases Thailand, The Asset’s annual country report. Read about why despite the country’s success in containing the coronavirus, it is struggling to restart the economy, and find a finance minister to lead the difficult task. Asset Benchmark Research’s Asian Currency Bond survey reveals how the pandemic is leading to the increasing importance of ethics in ESG investing. We also reveal ABR’s Most Astute Investors in Asian Local Currency Bonds for 2020.