Inside Gen Z’s Crypto Habit

Gen Z in the Financial World

Generation Z, born from 1997 to 2012, has never known life without the internet. That digital comfort may help explain why nearly half of Gen Z investors (48%) use online cryptocurrency exchanges—more than any other generation, according to the 2025 US Investments Trends Report provided by YouGov. In contrast, just 40% invest through banks and credit unions, and only 32% get help from a financial advisor.

They’ve weathered their share of financial challenges, even though the oldest is just 28 in 2025. They’ve already felt the impact of two recessions: the one induced by COVID-19 in 2020 and the Great Recession from 2007 through 2009.

Almost half of them resort to the internet for financial information and education, according to a 2023 report from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the CFA Institute: 48% look specifically to social media.

Investing in Crypto

Cryptocurrency trading happens online using a blockchain—a public, unchangeable record of each trade. Cryptocurrency exchanges allow users to swap dollars and other currencies for crypto.

“Buying crypto on an exchange and moving it to a private wallet can be done responsibly, but it asks a beginner to act like their own bank,” says Steven Rogé, certified financial planner (CFP), chief investment officer, and CEO of R.W. Rogé & Company Inc. “That means key management, security hygiene, and the risk of irreversible mistakes.”

Other crypto investment options are available, however. You might also consider investing in the stock of a crypto industry company.

Some brokerage platforms offer crypto exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products (ETFs and ETPs). Note that you don’t actually own the currency when you invest in an ETF or ETP.

Crypto investments remain fundamentally risky, however. The YouGov report found that 83% of American investors felt that cryptocurrency is a risky option. It’s a highly volatile investment vulnerable to market manipulation and scams, and it’s not subject to the same regulatory oversight as stocks.

Gen Z Invests Despite the Doubts

Gen Z has grown up through two recessions, which may have made them financially cautious. In YouGov’s study, 84% acknowledged that cryptocurrency is a risky investment. But in a separate survey from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), 55% of Gen Z investors have money in crypto, compared to 41% in stocks.

“Crypto feels native to a generation that grew up with digital wallets, gaming economies, and online communities,” says Rogé. “There’s also a skepticism of legacy institutions after watching crises and inflation. Social feeds magnify the appeal.”

So Why Do They Risk It?

The YouGov report indicates that most Gen Zers feel confident in handling their own investments on their own terms: 70%, compared to 60% of investors overall.And this generation isn’t known for being risk-averse. FINRA found that 46% of them were willing to take substantial or above-average financial risks.

The Bottom Line 

Gen Z and cryptocurrency are both products of the internet age. But fraud is common with crypto, so even confident investors should consider diversifying to keep their money safe.

“Treat crypto like dessert,” Rogé suggests. “Set the table with savings and index funds, then keep the portion size modest.”