Opinion by: Alex Tsepaev, chief strategy officer at B2PRIME Group.
Each generation has its own distinct characteristics, even when it comes to investing. Younger people, for example, show a higher tolerance for risk. More than 64% of Gen Z and 49% of millennials say they are willing to take on more of it.
That appetite naturally includes investing in cryptocurrencies, which is considered one of the riskiest asset classes in modern markets. No surprise, then, that nearly two-thirds of Gen Zs plan to invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin this year. Even more striking is that they are almost four times as likely to own crypto as to own a retirement account.
This might look like pure speculation. These numbers suggest that something more structural is happening.
For Gen Z, crypto is becoming an important part of their portfolios. The question now is whether that bet is mature or premature.
Volatility is the price of admission
Although it is arguable, crypto volatility remains one of the biggest obstacles in investing. Prices can change every millisecond, and trading happens around the clock. This has a significant effect on the final execution price.
Source: Why is Crypto So Volatile? Understanding Market Movements, Caleb & Brown
The most interesting part here, however, is that Gen Z is fully aware of this. 84% of them acknowledged that cryptocurrencies are risky and volatile, yet continue investing, and participation continues to grow every year. Why?
Gen Z understands that digital assets are a great way to have extra, above-average profits, and volatility is perceived as an entry price. For a generation that has already witnessed two of the biggest economic crises in history, average capital growth in traditional investments can feel too slow or insufficient.
Source: Bitcoin Vs. S&P 500: The New Risk Divide
Digital assets also feel native to Gen Z. This is the first generation that has never known a life without the internet, and they are also used to digital wallets and online transactions.
At the same time, their investment behavior is shaped by social media consumption — one in four American Gen Z now gets…
..
