A new survey by CoinShares indicates that a majority of affluent investors across seven major economies hold digital assets, with crypto accounting for approximately 10% of their portfolios on average. The study covered 2,230 investors possessing at least $500,000 in investable assets across the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland. Digital asset ownership ranged from 54% in Sweden to about 70% in the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland. Notably, at least 85% of current digital asset investors in five of these countries intend to increase their exposure in 2026, reaching as high as 91% in the US, UK, and Germany.
The February 2026 market downturn did not dampen this appetite; respondents in all seven countries indicated the sell-off made them more likely to invest rather than less. Long-term appreciation and diversification were cited as primary investment drivers, while speculation ranked last, with only 6% identifying as short-term traders. Bitcoin remained the most widely held asset, owned by 80% of digital asset investors, though 89% of those holders also possessed other digital assets. Despite growing adoption, a disconnect persists between investors and financial advisers, with roughly four in ten respondents finding their advisers overly cautious. Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, noted that many firms prohibit advisers from discussing crypto, potentially causing missed opportunities for tax and estate planning services.
The data suggests a structural shift in how high-net-worth individuals perceive digital assets, moving away from speculative trading toward long-term portfolio diversification. The resilience shown following the February 2026 downturn indicates that institutional-grade confidence is taking root among retail-affluent segments, driven by beliefs in Bitcoin’s future role in the global financial system. This trend highlights a growing gap between investor intent and traditional advisory frameworks, where regulatory caution often conflicts with client demand for broader asset class exposure.
However, significant friction remains in the distribution channel. While affluent investors express strong support for increased regulation and higher allocations, the advisory infrastructure lags behind due to compliance restrictions and knowledge gaps. Edelman’s challenge to the survey’s average allocation figures underscores the variability in actual holdings versus stated intentions. For the market, the critical watch point is whether financial institutions can adapt their custody and advisory services to meet this demand without compromising compliance standards, particularly given the widespread skepticism regarding crypto in retirement plans.
