on the crypto
Compared to 2% in 2018, 6% of US investors now own Bitcoin (quotation BTC). It is owned by 13% of younger investors versus those over 50 and 3% of older investors.
Bitcoin has seen an increase in interest, awareness and ownership over the past three years. Even if few people actually own bitcoin, younger investors are more likely to be interested.
What do the statistics say?
6% of U.S. investors, defined as those with at least $ 10.000 invested in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, claim to own bitcoin. This is up from 2% in 2018.
However, ownership increased 10 percentage points to 13% among investors aged 18 to 49. This is still very low among investors over 50; only 3% say they have it now, compared to 1% three years earlier.
Ownership of Bitcoin is comparable across all levels of investor activity: 8% of those with less than $ 100.000 and 6% of those with more than $ 100.000 currently own it.
Gallup also found that male investors are three times more active than female investors in the bitcoin markets, with 11% of men and 3% respectively now owning.
These results come from the second quarter Gallup Investor Optimism Index survey, conducted June 22-29.
Ownership of Bitcoin can be contrasted with traditional investments that US investors rely on. For example, 84% of investors say they have money in mutual funds or equity index funds.
67% claim to own individual shares and 50% hold bonds. Bitcoin ownership, at 6%, is closer to gold, which 11% of investors say they have.
Fewer investors are now averse to Bitcoin
Since 2018, the potential market for Bitcoin among US investors has increased. In addition to the 6% who currently own bitcoin, 2% expect to buy it in the near future. In 2018, less than half of the 1% expected to buy it.
Compared to 26% in 2018, 34% say bitcoin is intriguing to them, but they won't buy it anytime soon. The remaining 58% say they never want to buy bitcoin. This is down from 72% of those who said it in 2018.
Now, the bitcoin-averse group is well below the 38% level among investors aged 18 to 49. It is still the dominant position for older investors at 70%. This metric is more gender neutral than when it comes to bitcoin ownership.
55% of male investors report that they have no intention of buying bitcoin, while 61% of female investors report that they intend to.
Awareness and perception of risk
Investors may be more familiar with bitcoin than they think and consider it a risky investment. Since 2018, both have been more favorable for bitcoin.
