Jeff Park of Bitwise Asset Management recently raised an interesting point: Bitcoin’s volatility is actually the main attraction for the younger generation.
In a podcast, he said that the often extreme price fluctuations are not considered a risk but an opportunity. For a generation that grew up with technology and fast information, sharp changes in the market are not scary but rather something that pumps adrenaline.
“VOLATILITY” IS THE REASON WHY YOUNG PEOPLE PREFER [email protected]/P3kyJkbntG — Mario Nawfal’s Roundtable (@RoundtableSpace) April 12, 2025
Furthermore, Park explained that the younger generation tends to take greater risks because they also see the potential for faster returns.
In other words, volatility is not a barrier—it is considered a tool to accelerate wealth building. This is not idle speculation. A Gemini survey released on January 25, 2025, showed that more than 51% of Gen Z globally have owned crypto. In the US alone, 33% of them are even ready to allocate at least 5% of their portfolio to this digital asset.
Why Gen Z Is Skipping Retirement Accounts for Crypto
Just imagine if you were only 19 years old, and you had started buying crypto assets from your phone while sitting in the campus cafeteria. That is the reality of Gen Z today. According to Investopedia, the average age of Gen Z to start investing is 19—earlier than millennials who start at an average age of 25. Interestingly, 44% of them took their first steps through crypto. Not blue-chip stocks or property, but crypto.
On the other hand, data from YouGov as of February 6, 2025, confirms this trend. As many as 42% of Gen Z investors in the US hold crypto, far more than those who have retirement accounts (only 11%). In fact, 65% of them expressed interest in continuing to increase their investment in this asset throughout 2025. This means that they are not just following suit. They are indeed choosing this path as a way to build their financial future.
Younger Investors Are Embracing Crypto Over Traditional Retirement
Interestingly, CNF previously reported that Bitget Research found that 20% of Gen Z and Alpha prefer crypto-based retirement over traditional retirement systems. The main reasons? Transparency and decentralization. Both of these things fit perfectly with the mindset of the younger generation who are more suspicious of the old, closed system.
However, this option still has its challenges. The Financial Times reported on March 29, 2025, that almost a third of Gen Z started investing while in college. But some of them are also exposed to high risks because they immediately entered crypto without a thorough understanding.
In fact, the UK Financial Authority (FCA) has warned about “finfluencers” who often promote financial products carelessly. Not only that, many of them use micro-investment applications with small amounts. Easy to access, practical, and the results can be seen immediately. This is very tempting for those who are used to everything being instant. But of course, the potential for big profits comes with big risks, too.
Finally, we can see that Bitcoin’s appeal to the younger generation is not just about technology, but more because it is in line with the spirit of the times: fast, transparent, and not afraid to take risks.
Volatility is not an enemy. For them, it is actually a new friend on the journey to financial freedom.