Wealthy Investors Increasingly Embrace Cryptocurrency Despite Market Volatility

A CoinShares survey of 2,230 high-net-worth individuals across seven major economies reveals that a majority already hold cryptocurrency, allocating approximately 10% of their portfolios to digital assets on average. In five of the seven countries studied, at least 85% of existing cryptocurrency investors plan to increase their exposure in 2026, with adoption rates reaching 70% in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. The February market downturn did not deter this trend, as investors view digital assets through a long-term diversification lens.

The CoinShares survey tracked high-net-worth individuals with at least $500,000 in investable assets across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland. Adoption rates varied geographically, with Sweden showing the lowest penetration at 54%, while four major markets—the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland—all reached approximately 70% of wealthy investors holding digital assets.

The research reveals generational differences in crypto exposure, with younger investors allocating larger portions of their portfolios to digital assets compared to older cohorts. Bitcoin dominates holdings among crypto investors, with 80% owning it, and 89% of crypto holders also diversifying into alternative digital assets. Notably, long-term appreciation and portfolio diversification drive investor decisions, with only 6% identifying as short-term speculators.