Speculation accounted for just 9% of the primary motivations given by investors with at least $500,000 to invest. Several other findings run against what the industry assumes about this client base.
Between 11 May and 5 June 2026, Savanta surveyed 2,230 investors on our behalf across the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland. All held at least $500,000 in investable assets, excluding property, with an even split between $500,000 to $999,999 and $1 million or more. Four findings stand out.
Speculation is the smallest reason given
Among holders, speculation averaged 9% of primary motivations and never exceeded 11% in any market. Strategic motives, long-term appreciation and diversification, accounted for 40%. Hedging came to 13%. The short-term Trader was the smallest active investor profile in every market.
Advisers see it differently. In our 2026 European Wealth Management and Digital Assets Survey with Citywire, 52% of 261 wealth managers cited speculation as a reason clients hesitate. The two figures are not directly comparable, but the rank order is: managers place speculation near the top of the barriers, while investors place it at the bottom of their reasons.
Ownership is now the majority position
In every market, more than half of affluent investors hold digital assets, from 53% in Sweden to around 70% in the US, UK, Germany and Switzerland. Average allocations among holders sit in a tight 12% to 15% range across very different regulatory regimes.
Bitcoin anchors the portfolio, it is not the portfolio
80% of holders own bitcoin (87% in the US), but only 9% hold bitcoin alone. Ethereum (59%) and stablecoins (57%) follow.
Demand for adviser expertise is explicit
88% say they lack the knowledge to invest in digital assets with full confidence, and 95% consider adviser expertise in the asset class important. Among those open to advisory services on the subject, 98% would pay for it. Wealth managers are the most trusted source of digital asset information in every market, well ahead of peer forums and online communities.
The full report adds market-by-market data, investor behaviour during the February 2026 downturn, views on regulation (US policy agenda and MiCA), the macro and geopolitical drivers of allocation, generational differences, and how investors choose where to hold digital assets.
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