Affluent Investors Plan to Boost Crypto Holdings Despite Market Downturn

A new survey by CoinShares reveals that affluent investors in seven major economies are significantly increasing their exposure to digital assets. Among 2,230 investors with at least $500,000 in investable assets, crypto holdings averaged around 10% of their portfolios. The survey covered the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland, with digital asset ownership ranging from 54% in Sweden to about 70% in the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland.

At least 85% of current digital asset investors in five of the seven countries plan to boost their crypto holdings by 2026, with the highest enthusiasm seen in the US, UK, and Germany at 91%. Despite the February 2026 crypto market downturn, more respondents reported that the sell-off made them more likely to invest in digital assets rather than less. Long-term appreciation and diversification were the primary motivations for investing in crypto, while speculation ranked last, with only 6% identifying as short-term traders.

Bitcoin (BTC) remained the most widely held digital asset, owned by 80% of investors on average. However, 89% of BTC investors also held other digital assets. A significant majority, 77%, believed BTC would play a key role in the future global financial system, and 79% supported increased regulation of digital asset markets. Younger investors allocated more to digital assets than older investors across all seven countries, with roughly twice as much in four of them.

The survey also highlighted a disconnect between affluent investors and their financial advisers. About 40% of respondents in Switzerland, France, the US, and Germany who worked with an adviser found them overly cautious about digital assets. Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, noted that many advisers lack the knowledge or incentive to learn about crypto, with some firms even prohibiting discussions about it. Edelman recommended crypto allocations ranging from 10% to 40%, depending on risk tolerance, contrasting with broader skepticism about using crypto for retirement savings.