Almost half of investors in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) plan to buy crypto-ETFs, which puts digital assets on par with traditional bonds in popularity among investors.
A study by brokerage firm Schwab Asset Management revealed an interesting picture: 45% of respondents expressed an intention to invest in crypto-ETFs — exactly the same number as those who plan to invest in bond funds. American stocks lead with 52% of the votes, but the fact of the equality of cryptocurrencies and debt securities in attractiveness makes one think about where the world of finance is heading.
Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, does not hide his surprise: "It’s shocking to see cryptocurrencies in second place alongside bonds. They are clearly not in their weight category — crypto assets account for only 1% of total ETF assets, while bonds control 17%."
The survey covered 2,000 individual investors aged 25 to 75 with assets of at least $25,000. Half of them had already traded ETFs in the last two years — meaning it's not about newcomers who can easily be seduced by trendy fads.
The breakdown by age shows a classic picture of the technology gap. Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) demonstrate the highest appetite for crypto-ETFs — 57% plan to invest. Generation X (1965-1980) is more restrained — only 41% are willing to try digital exotic assets.
Meanwhile, baby boomers (1946-1964) view cryptocurrency funds as yet another financial fad — only 15% expressed interest. However, this is logical: why risk retirement savings for assets whose volatility can drive even an experienced trader crazy?
Balchunas noted that the entire survey showed a "super optimistic" attitude toward ETFs in general, especially among young people who plan to increase their use of such instruments.
The main drivers of ETF popularity have been low costs and accessibility — 94% of respondents agreed that funds help reduce costs in the portfolio. Approximately half of the survey participants also believe that ETFs provide access to niche strategies and new asset classes, separate from long-term investments.
David Botset, managing director of Schwab Asset Management, philosophically noted that "the world of investments is undergoing a rapid transformation." According to him, ETFs have already surpassed individual stocks in the U.S. and are used not only for basic portfolio investments but also for exploring an expanding universe of investment opportunities.
Schwab's figures demonstrate a paradoxical situation: crypto-ETFs with their microscopic market share generate interest comparable to the giant segment of bonds. Such a discrepancy between real weight and investment plans indicates either an impending massive influx of capital into digital assets or that investors' desires do not always translate into actual purchases.
