Millennial millionaires have a large share of their wealth in crypto

Nearly half of millennial millionaires have at least 25% of their wealth in cryptocurrencies, as the crypto boom continues to create wealth for young, early adopters, according to the CNBC Millionaire Survey.

Some 47% of millennial millionaires surveyed have more than 25% of their wealth in cryptocurrencies, according to the survey of 750 investors with at least $1 million in investible assets. More than a third of millennial millionaires have at least half their wealth in crypto.

The results highlight a new generational divide in wealth creation from crypto, with younger investors who spotted the trend early on able to earn vast fortunes and grow their existing investments from the surge in the prices of bitcoin, ether and other digital currencies.

Older millionaires are far less likely to believe in or invest in crypto. Fully 83% of American millionaires have none of their wealth in crypto, and only 1 in 10 keeps more than 10% of their wealth in crypto assets, according to the survey. None of the baby boomer millionaires or older generations has more than 10% of their wealth in crypto.
The importance of crypto to young millionaires could shift the wealth management industry, as private banks, brokers and wealth management firms scramble to cater to a new, crypto-heavy clientele. In the coming years, the key to attracting the next generation of wealthy clients could be more about crypto than traditional stocks, bonds, private equity and hedge funds.
“We’re already seeing the industry responding,” Walper said. ’We see more and more providers offering access to crypto investing. It’s changing fast.”