A recent survey from American financial giant Charles Schwab reveals that nearly half (45%) of investor respondents plan to allocate to cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over the next year. The data has sparked broad attention, with millennial investors showing the strongest enthusiasm — ranking crypto ETFs as their top choice among all asset classes.
Key Findings: ETF Share in Portfolios Rising
According to the report, ETFs now represent 27% of investor portfolios, and a whopping 65% of respondents intend to increase their ETF investments in the coming year. Notably, 28% began investing in ETFs specifically to “build wealth,” with cryptocurrencies playing a central role in that strategy. The survey spans multiple age groups, with millennials (born 1981–1996) exhibiting the highest preference for crypto ETFs.
Industry Reaction: Why Is Schwab Holding Back?
Nate Geraci, founder of The ETF Institute, highlighted the apparent disconnect between Schwab’s survey data and its product strategy. “It’s wild that Schwab has this data and still hasn’t launched spot crypto ETFs,” he wrote on social media. He added that for all investors combined, crypto ETFs ranked second only to some traditional assets, surpassing bonds, international equities and alternative investments.
Bloomberg’s lead ETF analyst Eric Balchunas called the findings “stunning.” “Nearly half of Schwab’s respondents said they plan to invest in crypto ETFs, more than bonds, international, alts. Pretty stunning,” he commented on X.
Investor Confidence Soars: 96% Feel Proficient
The survey also found that 96% of ETF investors describe themselves as somewhat or extremely confident in their ability to choose ETFs that meet their objectives, up from 71% a decade ago. This indicates sharp improvement in investor understanding and trust in ETF products. Yet Schwab, one of the largest U.S. brokerages, has not launched any spot crypto ETF, contrasting sharply with surging demand.
As of press time, Schwab has not publicly responded to questions about potential future crypto ETF launches. Analysts expect traditional financial institutions including Schwab to accelerate their digital asset efforts as investor demand continues to grow.