Affluent Investors Plan to Boost Crypto Holdings Despite Market Downturn
A new survey from CoinShares reveals that wealthy investors in major economies are not only holding cryptocurrencies but also plan to increase their holdings despite a market downturn. The survey, which included 2,230 investors with at least $500,000 in investable assets across seven countries, found that digital asset ownership ranged from 54% in Sweden to roughly 70% in the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland. Notably, at least 85% of current crypto holders in five of the seven countries expressed intentions to boost their allocations in 2026, with the US, UK, and Germany reaching as high as 91%.
The February 2026 crypto sell-off did not deter investor enthusiasm. In all seven surveyed countries, more respondents indicated that the downturn made them more likely to invest in digital assets rather than less. Investors cited long-term appreciation and portfolio diversification as primary motivations, with only 6% identifying as short-term traders. Bitcoin remained the dominant holding, owned by 80% of digital asset investors on average, while 89% of BTC holders also diversified into other assets. Additionally, 77% of BTC investors believed Bitcoin would play a significant role in the future global financial system.
The survey also highlighted a disconnect between investors and financial advisers. Roughly four in 10 investors in Switzerland, France, the US, and Germany who work with advisers reported that their advisers were overly cautious about digital assets. Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, suggested that many advisers are slow to adopt crypto due to limited knowledge and a lack of incentives. He argued that adviser restrictions could lead to missed opportunities for tax, estate-planning, and philanthropic services tied to crypto holdings.
CoinShares reported an average crypto allocation of around 10% among affluent investors, though Edelman challenged this figure, citing his own research suggesting allocations of 2% to 5% are more common. Edelman recommended allocations ranging from 10% to 40%, depending on risk tolerance. The survey underscores a growing demand for crypto integration into mainstream allocation frameworks, particularly as regulatory expectations and retirement-related attitudes evolve.