More than half of American crypto investors plan to raise their crypto allocation over the next 5 years. Yet, 42% say crypto wealth earns less social respect than an equal stock portfolio, an OKX survey shows.
Pollfish ran the survey for OKX between October 14 and 18. It polled 1,932 crypto investors, including 1,000 in the US and the rest across 4 European countries.
US Investors Want a Bigger Slice of Crypto
In the US, 55% of survey respondents expect to increase their crypto allocation. That includes 22% who plan a significant increase.
Not every American plans to buy, though. A third expect to keep their crypto allocation about the same, while another third expect to raise it somewhat.
European investors trail on both counts. In France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland combined, 47% expect an increase and 13% plan a significant one.
The gap widens among younger investors. Among Americans under 45, 70% expect to raise their crypto share, against 57% in Europe.
Roshan Robert, CEO of OKX US, tied the appetite to younger investors.
“US investors are showing that crypto is moving from the margins into the mainstream wealth conversation, with younger investors leading this shift. Crypto is becoming part of how a new generation thinks about building and preserving wealth,” Robert said.
Older Americans are far less convinced. Among US Boomers, 65% say crypto is not at all important to building generational wealth, against 44% in Europe.
Still, those buying plans contrast with how American investors think others view crypto wealth.
Crypto Wealth Carries a Social Discount in America
Asked about social standing, 42% of American respondents said crypto wealth earns less respect than an equal stock portfolio. In Europe, 28% gave the same answer.
Only 34% of US investors consider crypto wealth as legitimate as wealth built in stocks or real estate. Europe reports the same 34%, so legitimacy alone may not explain the respect gap.
The respect gap shows up even as Washington works to widen access. In March, the Labor Department proposed a rule easing the path for crypto into 401(k) retirement plans.
Meanwhile, American investors also keep their finances closer. Just 7% tell close friends their approximate portfolio value, against 15% in Europe.
Nearly a quarter of Americans, 24%, say they would hide a sudden fortune to keep their relationships unchanged. That is twice the European rate of 12%.
Overall, policy and investor demand in the US are both moving toward more crypto exposure, yet the investors adding it expect their crypto wealth to earn less respect than stocks.
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