Survey finds: Wealthy investors are increasing their allocation of cryptocurrencies

Wealthy investors in major economies still plan to increase their allocation of crypto assets after a market correction

According to a new survey released by CoinShares, wealthy investors in major economies not only hold cryptocurrencies, but also plan to increase their holdings further even after the market falls. The report covers seven countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland, and found that digital assets have become a meaningful part of many people's investment portfolios, accounting for an average of about 10%. Across all countries surveyed, most respondents hold some form of digital assets.

The survey surveyed 2,230 investors with at least US$500,000 in investable assets. Data shows that digital asset holdings range from 54% in Sweden to about 70% in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. An important finding for portfolio managers and advisers is that investor intentions remain strong: In five countries (out of a total of seven countries surveyed), at least 85% of existing digital asset holders said they plan to increase exposure in 2026, with the proportion reaching as high as 91% in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Core Points

• The CoinShares report shows that digital asset holdings among wealthy investors range from 54% in Sweden to about 70% in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland.
• In most markets surveyed, the vast majority of existing cryptocurrency holders are expected to increase their allocation ratios in 2026.
• The market correction in February 2026 has not dampened investor appetite; in all seven countries, respondents are more likely to believe the sell-off will prompt them to invest rather than deter them.
• Bitcoin is the main open asset, with an average of 80% of digital asset investors holding BTC, while many BTC holders have also diversified into other assets.
• Engagement among advisers seems slow: In several countries, about 40% of investors who work with advisers say they are too cautious about digital assets.

Market correction that did not cool beliefs

CoinShares 'survey shows that the February 2026 cryptocurrency sell-off has limited negative impact on investor behavior. Across all seven countries, more respondents said that falling markets made them more likely to invest in digital assets, not less.

This resilience seems to stem from investors 'descriptions of their motivations. The survey showed that "long-term appreciation" and "portfolio diversification" were the most common reasons for respondents to hold cryptocurrencies, while "speculation" ranked at the bottom. Only 6% of respondents said they mainly regard themselves as short-term traders.

This is significant to market participants because it points to a more stable base of demand than a purely cyclical trading narrative. If positions are supported by long-term investment goals, marginal buyers during periods of volatility may come from wealth allocation decisions rather than short-term risk-loving flows.

How investors are allocated: Bitcoin leads, diversification is close behind

Bitcoin remains the most widely held digital asset in the survey. According to CoinShares, an average of 80% of digital asset investors report holding BTC. However, the report also shows that BTC investors often hold multiple assets: 89% of Bitcoin holders also hold other digital assets.

CoinShares added that many investors expect Bitcoin to retain its core position in the financial sector. The survey shows that 77% of BTC investors believe that Bitcoin will play an important role in the future global financial system. At the same time, support for clearer rules is widespread: 79% of respondents support stronger regulation of digital asset markets.

Another significant pattern is intergenerational differences. CoinShares found that younger investors have higher exposure to crypto and allocate a higher proportion of digital assets than older investors in all seven countries. In four of these countries, the proportion of young people is approximately twice that of older investors.

Gap between investors and advisers may shape adoption trends

In addition to self-directed interests, CoinShares 'survey also highlighted a potential friction point: the relationship between wealthy investors and the financial advisers they serve. The report found signs of disconnect. In Switzerland, France, the United States and Germany, about 40% of respondents who used advisory services said they believed advisers were too cautious about digital assets.

Cointelegraph has interviewed Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals and Edelman Financial Engines. Edelman told Cointelegraph that many consultants have been slow to adopt cryptocurrencies due to limited knowledge and lack of incentives to learn. He also pointed out that some companies discourses may restrict consultants 'ability to discuss cryptocurrencies or provide cryptocurrency-related investments.

"Consultants are busy; they already run a successful business full of satisfied customers-why bother learning new things?" "And most consultants get little or no encouragement from their companies," Edelman said.

Edelman further argued that advisers 'restrictions could lead to clients' crypto positions being ignored. He said if advisers don't know which customers own cryptocurrencies, they may miss out on tax, estate planning and charitable services related to those assets.

For investors, this advice-level gap can affect the speed at which cryptocurrencies move from "personal ownership" to "integration into broader wealth planning." It also affects whether risk management, reporting and compliance considerations are addressed early on or are addressed after configuration growth.

How many cryptocurrencies are "appropriate"? The debate over the average 10% allocation

CoinShares reports that the average allocation of cryptocurrencies among wealthy investors is about 10%. Edelman challenged this specific figure, saying his own research showed that 2% to 5% configurations are much more common.

尽管如此，Edelman的立场并非保守。他建议根据风险承受能力，配置范围在10%到40%之间——保守型投资组合为10%，适度型为25%，激进型为40%。在他看来，随着该资产类别的成熟，10%或更高的配置可能会变得更加典型。

他的立场也与退休规划中对加密货币的担忧交织在一起。国家退休安全研究所（National Institute on Retirement Security）今年8月的一项调查发现，77%的美国人在工作场所退休计划中认为加密货币具有风险，其中46%的人认为其风险很大。虽然CoinShares的调查侧重于富裕投资者而非广泛的退休计划参与者，但这种差异从另一个角度凸显了同样的挑战：接受度因金融背景的不同而存在巨大差异。

关注此领域的读者应留意顾问参与度是否随着投资者意图的提升而改善。CoinShares的结果表明需求已经存在；接下来的问题是，有多少需求能够转化为主流的配置框架——尤其是在监管期望和相关退休态度的演变过程中。