Wealthy Investors Prioritize Long-Term Goals Over Speculation in Digital Assets

A new survey by CoinShares has shed light on the motivations and behaviors of affluent investors when it comes to digital assets. The survey, conducted between May 11 and June 5, 2026, polled 2,230 investors across the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland, all of whom held at least $500,000 in investable assets. One of the most striking findings was that speculation accounted for only 9% of the primary motivations given by investors, contrary to what the industry often assumes.

In contrast, strategic motives, long-term appreciation, and diversification accounted for 40% of the primary motivations, while hedging came in at 13%. The survey also found that 88% of investors said they lacked the knowledge to invest in digital assets with full confidence, and 95% considered adviser expertise in the asset class to be important. Among those open to advisory services, 98% would pay for it.

The survey also revealed that 80% of holders own Bitcoin, but only 9% hold Bitcoin alone. Ethereum and stablecoins were also popular, with 59% and 57% of holders respectively.