Always-On Investors Redefine Retail Investing in Australia

The way Australians invest has changed significantly in recent years. The rise of cryptocurrency and a new generation of digitally savvy, always-on investors are redefining the shape of retail investing.

Crypto markets have been open around the clock since Bitcoin's creation in 2009, with no opening or closing bell. This has allowed younger Australians to invest on their own terms, whenever they want.

According to CMC Invest data, the number of clients making at least one crypto trade climbed 87% from 2024 to 2025, while opt-ins to access crypto increased 19% year-on-year. Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen significant increases in trade volumes, with a 104% and 107% rise respectively.

This shift is driven by millennials and accumulators who are actively building wealth and expect to stay close to their portfolio while doing it. Research commissioned by CMC Invest from Investment Trends found that most crypto holders are active traders, not passive holders.