Wealthy Investors Plan to Increase Their Crypto Exposure in 2026

A CoinShares survey of 2,230 investors with at least $500,000 in investable assets found that most participants across seven countries own digital assets. Among those who already hold them, many said they plan to increase their exposure in 2026; this response expresses an intention and does not confirm that purchases have been made or will take place.

The survey covered the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland. Its results describe the sample surveyed and should not be interpreted as an estimate of all investors in those countries or of a uniform global trend.

Widespread ownership, with differences between countries

The share of respondents who said they owned digital assets ranged from 54% in Sweden to about 70% in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. CoinShares put the average allocation to crypto assets at around 10% of participants’ portfolios, although this aggregate figure does not necessarily describe the experience of each investor.

Among current holders, in five of the seven countries at least 85% said they planned to increase their exposure during 2026. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, the share reached 91%. These are responses about stated plans, not a measure of the capital that will ultimately be invested.

The February 2026 market downturn also did not appear in the survey as a widespread deterrent: in all seven countries, more participants said the decline made them more likely to invest in digital assets than less likely. The survey records this perception but cannot establish what decisions they made afterward.

Diversification and a long-term outlook among the motivations

Participants cited long-term appreciation and diversification among their main reasons for investing. Speculation ranked last, and 6% identified primarily as short-term traders. These responses describe the motivations stated by the sample; they do not eliminate the risks associated with crypto assets or predict their performance.

Bitcoin was the most widely held digital asset: on average, 80% of investors in digital assets owned it. At the same time, 89% of bitcoin holders also said they owned other digital assets. Overall, 77% of respondents considered that bitcoin would play an important role in the future global financial system, while 79% supported greater regulation of digital asset markets.

The study also observed an age difference: younger participants allocated a larger share of their portfolios to digital assets than older participants in all seven countries. In four markets, their exposure was approximately twice as high. The data show an association in the sample but do not, by themselves, explain the causes of this difference.

Some clients perceive caution among their advisers

Nearly four in ten respondents who worked with an adviser in Switzerland, France, the United States, and Germany considered that adviser too cautious about digital assets. This perception points to a possible gap between some clients and their advisers; it does not mean that all participants expect buy recommendations or that professionals should endorse any asset.

Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals and Edelman Financial Engines, told Cointelegraph that some advisers are slow to adopt digital assets because they lack the knowledge or incentives to pursue training. He also noted that certain firms limit discussions or investments related to crypto assets.

Edelman also challenged the average allocation of about 10% reported by CoinShares, arguing that, according to his own research, allocations of 2% to 5% are more common. This discrepancy underscores that the survey figure should not be taken as a recommendation or as a benchmark applicable to every portfolio. Edelman’s views on allocations are his own and are not a conclusion of the survey.

For wealth management firms, the results highlight some clients’ interest in discussing digital assets and the importance of understanding their stated holdings. However, the survey does not determine what services they need, how much they would be willing to pay, or what level of exposure would be suitable for each person. Its findings are limited to the participants surveyed and their responses in the seven markets included.