48% of Gen Z Finds Emerging Investments Like Cryptocurrency Attractive, US Bank Survey

Key Points of This Article

• 30% of Gen Z reported a decline in trust towards cryptocurrencies
• The cryptocurrency ownership rate among risk-takers is four times that of risk-averse individuals

Asset Formation and Cryptocurrency Among Young People

On the 21st, US Bank, a major American bank, released the results of its "2026 US Bank Wealth Survey," which surveyed 5,000 adults in the United States. 48% of Gen Z and 47% of Millennials found new investment options like cryptocurrencies more attractive than traditional investments.

In the United States, Gen Z generally refers to those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s, while Millennials refer to those born from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. Since this survey targets individuals aged 18 and older, Gen Z respondents are typically aged 18 to their late 20s, while Millennials are in their 30s to mid-40s. This generation grew up alongside smartphones and social media, coinciding with the rise of cryptocurrencies during their employment and asset formation periods.

However, high interest does not necessarily translate into trust. 30% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials reported a decline in trust towards cryptocurrencies over the past year. Meanwhile, 33% and 29% reported an increase in trust towards stocks, and 76% and 79% viewed traditional investments as the best strategy for long-term savings. The company clarified that young people are not switching to cryptocurrencies.

Preference for Stocks Over Real Estate, Interest in Prediction Markets

Younger generations are starting asset formation earlier. The average starting age is 19 for Gen Z, significantly lower than 25 for Millennials, 29 for Generation X, and 32 for Baby Boomers. The percentage of those who view the stock market as a more realistic path to asset formation than home ownership is 62% for Gen Z and 61% for Millennials, higher than 51% for Generation X and 45% for Baby Boomers. 29% of Gen Z and 26% of Millennials reported giving up on purchasing a home due to financial reasons.

Prediction markets have also been mentioned as a new option. Prediction markets are platforms where future event outcomes, such as elections and economic indicators, are traded, with examples in the US including Kalshi and Polymarket. The percentage of those interested in or considering using prediction markets as a means of asset formation is 33% for Gen Z and 29% for Millennials, surpassing 26% for Generation X and 15% for Baby Boomers.

Just because they started early does not mean they are seeing results. 56% of Gen Z reported that despite doing the "right things," they have not reached their desired level, and 62% are struggling to grow their assets. The percentage of those who have paused or plan to pause their investments is nearly half, with 49% for Gen Z and 47% for Millennials.

Risk-Taker Group, Cryptocurrency Ownership Rate Four Times That of Risk-Averse Group

The survey classified individuals with high risk tolerance and proactive financial planning as "informed risk-takers." This group starts asset formation at an average age of 24, about five years earlier than the risk-averse group, and the percentage of those who felt prepared at the start was about three times higher. Approximately two-thirds (67%) of this group are Gen Z and Millennials.

This group has a cryptocurrency ownership rate four times that of the risk-averse group. However, they also have a high ownership rate of traditional assets and are proactive in utilizing financial advisors and creating financial plans. Scott Ford, president of US Bank Wealth Management, stated that the younger generation has not abandoned traditional goals but is "changing the way they pursue them."

US Bank, which conducted the survey, is a commercial bank under US Bancorp based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The bank claims to be the fifth largest commercial bank in the US, serving approximately 15 million customers worldwide across three main businesses, with around 70,000 employees. The survey was conducted from June 15 to July 1, targeting US adults aged 18 and older.