Wealthy UK investors call bitcoin a long-term store of value

CoinShares’ Affluent Investor Crypto Report, based on a survey of 2,230 high-net-worth individuals across seven markets, includes responses from 305 UK participants. The report found 85% of UK respondents view bitcoin as a reliable long-term store of value. Seventy percent of UK HNWIs hold digital assets and 35% ranked crypto as their best long-term investment, ahead of real estate at 25% and equities at 21%. Despite a market sell-off in February, 91% of current holders reported plans to buy more crypto this year.

UK clients reported demand for advisers with crypto expertise: 80% would work with a wealth manager who understands digital assets, the highest share across the markets surveyed. In the UK, 33% cited market trends as the main influence on their crypto decisions, while 27% pointed to their wealth manager. About one third described their adviser as too cautious. Only 11% identified as short-term traders, 31% as long-term believers and 25% as using crypto to diversify portfolios. Across Europe, 52% of wealth managers identified speculation as a barrier to client investment.

Regulation and public policy influenced investor appetite. Eighty-eight percent of UK respondents supported tighter crypto regulation, the highest level in the survey. Seventy-one percent reported being more likely to invest since the Financial Conduct Authority opened retail access to bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products, with an FCA authorisation window noted on September 30. Twenty-eight percent reported being less likely to invest after HM Revenue & Customs excluded crypto from stocks-and-shares ISAs.

Political signals also affected choices. Sixty-five percent of UK HNWIs reported that former President Donald Trump’s personal endorsement of crypto made them more likely to invest, and 75% said the stance of the US administration increased their likelihood to invest.

The report highlighted generational differences: respondents under 45 allocated 13% of their portfolios to crypto compared with 7% for those over 45. Younger investors were more willing to pay premium fees for crypto expertise, with 39% ready to do so versus 20% of older respondents.

CoinShares published the Affluent Investor Crypto Report presenting these findings.