Younger generations more invested in crypto than stocks, survey finds

Gen Zers are more likely to own crypto than stocks as they take a different approach to financial planning than older generations, according to a Policygenius survey. 

About 18% of GenZers own stocks and 20% own cryptocurrency, according to the 2024 Policygenius Financial Planning Survey released on Tuesday. For reference, 33% of Boomers own stocks and just 5% own crypto.

YouGov conducted the survey on behalf of Policygenius in mid-October, polling 4,063 Americans age 18 or older. The average margin of error was +/—2%, according to Policygenius. 

"Younger generations store their wealth differently than their Gen X and boomer counterparts, including novel investments like cryptocurrency. This could show a bigger willingness to take risks with their money, but it could also reflect obstacles they can't control, like the growing housing shortage," said Myles Ma, certified personal finance counselor at insurance platform Policygenius in a statement. 

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Foundation and the CFA Institute reached a similar conclusion in May last year. About 56% of Gen Zers own some investments, with about 55% of them owning crypto and 41% owning individual stocks, according to their survey . 

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Real estate

Younger generations are also just as likely or more likely to own crypto as they are to own real estate, the survey found. Thirteen percent of GenZers and 24% of Millennials own real estate, while 45% of Boomers also own real estate in comparison, according to the survey. 

High interest rates and low inventory are making it difficult to buy a home in the U.S., according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Buying real property may help build wealth, but it has become decreasingly affordable over the years.