Story Highlights
- 6% of U.S. investors now own bitcoin, up from 2% in 2018
- 13% of investors younger than 50 own it, versus 3% of older investors
- Concern that bitcoin is "very risky" has declined
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In the past three years, bitcoin has gained traction with U.S. investors in awareness, interest and ownership. Although few investors overall own it, there is more momentum among investors younger than 50.
Six percent of U.S. investors -- defined as adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds -- say they own bitcoin. This is up from 2% in 2018. But ownership is up a more impressive 10 percentage points, to 13%, among investors aged 18 to 49. It remains minimal among investors aged 50 and older; just 3% now say they own it, versus 1% three years ago.
% Currently own bitcoin
| May 2018 | June 2021 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | pct. pts. | |
| U.S. investors | 2 | 6 | +4 |
| Age | |||
| 18 to 49 | 3 | 13 | +10 |
| 50 and older | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| Gender | |||
| Men | 3 | 11 | +8 |
| Women | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| Total investments | |||
| $100,000 or more | 2 | 8 | +6 |
| Less than $100,000 | 0 | 6 | +6 |
| U.S. investors are adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, either within or outside a retirement fund | |||
| Gallup Panel | |||
Bitcoin ownership is similar across investor asset levels -- 8% of those with less than $100,000 invested and 6% of those with $100,000 or more invested currently own it.
Separately, Gallup finds male investors are over three times as active as female investors in the bitcoin market, with 11% of male investors and 3% of female investors now owners.
These findings come from the second-quarter Gallup Investor Optimism Index survey, conducted June 22-29.
Bitcoin ownership can be contrasted with the more mainstream investments U.S. investors rely on. For instance, 84% of investors report having money invested in stock index funds or mutual funds, 67% say they own individual stocks, and 50% have bonds. At 6%, bitcoin ownership is more akin to gold, which 11% of investors say they own.
Fewer Investors Now Bitcoin-Averse
The potential market for bitcoin among existing U.S. investors has also expanded since 2018.
- In addition to the 6% who currently own bitcoin, another 2% say they will probably buy bitcoin in the near future. In 2018, less than half of 1% anticipated buying it.
- Thirty-four percent, up from 26% in 2018, say they are intrigued by bitcoin but "won't be buying it anytime soon."
This leaves 58% who say they have no interest in ever buying bitcoin, down from 72% in 2018.
| May 2018 | June 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| % | % | |
| You currently own bitcoin | 2 | 6 |
| You will probably buy bitcoin in the near future | <1 | 2 |
| You are intrigued by bitcoin but won't be buying it anytime soon | 26 | 34 |
| You have no interest in ever buying bitcoin | 72 | 58 |
| U.S. investors are adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, either within or outside a retirement fund | ||
| Gallup Panel | ||
The bitcoin-averse group is now well below the majority level (38%) among investors aged 18 to 49. But, at 70%, it continues to be the dominant position of older investors. The gender gap is less pronounced on this metric than in terms of bitcoin ownership, with 55% of male investors and 61% of female investors reporting no plans to ever buy bitcoin.
| May 2018 | June 2021 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | pct. pts. | |
| U.S. investors | 72 | 58 | -14 |
| Age | |||
| 18 to 49 | 56 | 38 | -18 |
| 50 and older | 80 | 70 | -10 |
| Gender | |||
| Men | 66 | 55 | -11 |
| Women | 78 | 61 | -17 |
| Total investments | |||
| $100,000 or more | 74 | 63 | -11 |
| Less than $100,000 | 66 | 50 | -16 |
| U.S. investors are adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, either within or outside a retirement fund | |||
| Gallup Panel | |||
Awareness and Perceptions of Risk
Two factors that could play a role in bitcoin catching on with investors are how familiar they are with it and how risky they see it as an investment. Both have become more favorable for bitcoin since 2018.
The percentage of U.S. investors who say they have heard of and know something about bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies has increased to 38%, from 29% in 2018. This includes even larger jumps into majority-level familiarity among male investors (17 points, to 55%) and investors aged 18 to 49 (14 points, to 62%). By contrast, just 24% of both female investors and those aged 50 and older report being familiar with bitcoin, little changed from 2018.
% Heard of them and know something about them
| May 2018 | June 2021 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | pct. pts. | |
| U.S. investors | 29 | 38 | +9 |
| Age | |||
| 18 to 49 | 48 | 62 | +14 |
| 50 and older | 19 | 24 | +5 |
| Gender | |||
| Men | 38 | 55 | +17 |
| Women | 20 | 24 | +4 |
| Total investments | |||
| $100,000 or more | 25 | 38 | +13 |
| Less than $100,000 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| U.S. investors are adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, either within or outside a retirement fund | |||
| Gallup Panel | |||
Nearly all investors perceive bitcoin to be a risky investment to some degree -- but the percentage calling it "very risky" has declined to 60%, from 75% in 2018. Most of the rest, now 35%, consider it "somewhat risky," while just 5% think it is "not too risky" or "not risky at all."
While majorities of most subgroups of investors still consider bitcoin very risky, less than half of investors aged 18 to 49 currently feel that way, down from 71% in 2018.
% Very risky
| May 2018 | June 2021 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | pct. pts. | |
| U.S. investors | 75 | 60 | -15 |
| Gender | |||
| Men | 83 | 61 | -22 |
| Women | 67 | 59 | -8 |
| Age | |||
| 18 to 49 | 71 | 47 | -24 |
| 50 and older | 77 | 68 | -9 |
| Total investments | |||
| $100,000 or more | 79 | 63 | -16 |
| Less than $100,000 | 67 | 54 | -13 |
| U.S. investors are adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, either within or outside a retirement fund | |||
| Gallup Panel | |||
Bottom Line
Three years ago, a very small percentage of investors reported owning bitcoin, most reported having little knowledge of it, and majorities -- regardless of gender or age -- expressed limited interest in ever buying it. Since then, the price of bitcoin has grown by over 300%, well outpacing the market's roughly 40% increase over the same period. Purchasing it has become easier for average Americans through crypto exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken and Gemini. And large investments in bitcoin by well-known companies such as Tesla, Square and Morgan Stanley (the latter done indirectly through other investments) may be giving it more mainstream credibility.
Perhaps as a result, bitcoin is inching closer to general acceptance among U.S. investors, particularly with those under age 50. Not only do 13% of these relatively young investors own it, but their familiarity with it and willingness to buy it have risen to majority levels. Still, stocks, bonds and mutual funds remain the dominant types of investments for investors of all age groups. Thus, for now, it appears bitcoin is an ancillary purchase for investors trying to supplement their portfolio and not a replacement for more traditional securities.
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