Wealthy Investors Are Buying Crypto, But Their Advisers Are Holding Back
Investors and advisers at odds over crypto exposure
Rich investors are moving into cryptocurrency faster than their financial advisers want them to, according to a new survey from CoinShares. The gap between what investors want and what advisers recommend is becoming more visible as digital assets grow in popularity among wealthy clients.
At the same time, crypto-focused companies are raising capital and adjusting strategies. OKX announced a funding extension at a $25 billion valuation, while Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) is spending significantly more on buybacks of its preferred shares than on Bitcoin purchases.
What the survey found
The CoinShares survey covered 2,230 investors with at least $500,000 in investable assets across seven countries: the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland. Here are the key findings:
- A majority of these affluent investors already own digital assets.
- Crypto makes up about 10% of their portfolios on average.
- Ownership ranged from 54% in Sweden to roughly 70% in the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland.
- In five of the seven countries, at least 85% of existing crypto investors said they planned to increase their crypto exposure in 2026.
- About four in 10 respondents in Switzerland, France, the US, and Germany said their financial advisers were overly cautious about digital assets.
Ric Edelman, founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, disagreed with the survey's claim that crypto accounts for 10% of average portfolios. He said his research suggests current allocations are more like 2% to 5%. Still, Edelman recommends allocations of 10% to 40%, depending on an investor's risk tolerance.
Bitcoin faces headwinds from Treasury yields
Bitcoin is coming off its best third quarter since 2017, with a 43% gain. The price also saw three consecutive weekly advances. But Delphi Digital warned that extending the rally could be difficult because Treasury yields remain above 5%, offering investors a safer alternative to risk assets.
Bitcoin briefly climbed above $87,000 last week before pulling back to below $83,000. The Federal Reserve's September rate hike and multi-decade high Treasury yields are creating resistance, according to Delphi.
However, Vanessa Grellet of Arche Capital noted that the "debasement trade" — investing in scarce assets like Bitcoin and gold as a hedge against falling currency value — does not depend on low interest rates. The outlook for rates may also be shifting: September jobs data showed only 29,000 new jobs, well below forecasts of 80,000, lowering odds of another rate hike. New York Fed President John Williams also said there was no urgency to raise rates again.
OKX extends funding round
OKX has raised additional funding at a $25 billion valuation, extending a round that originally brought in $200 million from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in March. The company did not disclose the amount raised in the latest extension. Existing partners and investors participated, including Standard Chartered's SC Ventures, Qube Research & Technologies, Ripple, and stablecoin issuer Circle. A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, typically pegged to a fiat currency like the US dollar.
OKX is also moving further into traditional finance. A joint venture between OKX and ICE recently filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a tokenized stock trading platform under the agency's new innovation exemption. The platform can launch once the filing and exemption are approved.
Strategy favors stock buybacks over Bitcoin
Strategy spent $176.3 million repurchasing 1.77 million shares of its preferred stock (STRC) last week, more than six times the $28.7 million it spent buying 334 Bitcoin. The company now holds exactly 848,000 BTC, according to an SEC filing.
Bitcoin accumulation has slowed considerably. Strategy's holdings rose just 0.2% in the third quarter after purchasing 7,218 BTC and selling 5,553 BTC. STRC shares have recovered to near their $100 par value, trading around $99.53 after falling to roughly $75 in late June.
Strategy also filed a proxy seeking shareholder approval to pay daily dividends on STRC, STRF, STRK, and STRD. Currently, STRC pays dividends twice monthly while the other three pay quarterly. Shareholders will vote on October 28. If approved, daily STRC dividends would begin in November, followed by the other shares in January. The company said the changes would not affect dividend rates or total payment obligations but could improve liquidity and price stability.
What is confirmed
- A CoinShares survey found majority crypto ownership among affluent investors in seven major economies, with plans to increase exposure.
- OKX raised additional funding at a $25 billion valuation with participation from existing investors.
- Strategy spent more than six times as much on STRC buybacks as on Bitcoin last week.
- Strategy filed for shareholder approval to move to daily dividends on certain preferred shares.
What is still unclear
- The exact amount OKX raised in its latest funding extension was not disclosed.
- Ric Edelman's estimate of 2% to 5% crypto allocations conflicts with CoinShares' 10% figure; independent verification is not available from the sources.
- It remains uncertain whether the OKX-ICE tokenized stock platform will receive SEC approval.
- The outcome of Strategy's shareholder vote on daily dividends is still pending.
Why this matters for crypto investors
The survey highlights a growing tension between wealthy investors who want more crypto exposure and the advisers who manage their money. If advisers remain cautious while clients grow more comfortable with digital assets, it could push more investors toward self-directed crypto allocation. Meanwhile, companies like OKX and Strategy continue to shape how crypto intersects with traditional finance through fundraising, tokenized platforms, and corporate treasury strategies.
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.