Charles Schwab Survey: Cryptocurrency Becomes Essential Wealth-Building Tool for Americans

Charles Schwab’s 2026 Modern Wealth Survey reveals that cryptocurrency is shifting from a speculative outlier to a core component of American wealth building. With 60% of current holders planning to increase their positions, fintech firms must address the growing demand for digital asset integration alongside traditional portfolios while tackling persistent concerns regarding security and regulation.

What was announced

The 2026 Modern Wealth Survey highlights a significant shift in investor sentiment, with current cryptocurrency owners showing higher intent to increase their holdings than owners of any other asset class. Specifically, 60% of crypto investors plan to add to their positions over the next 12 months, surpassing the planned increases for ETFs (56%), stocks (52%), bonds (42%), and mutual funds (41%). This momentum is largely driven by younger demographics; 33% of Millennials and 22% of Gen Z currently own digital assets, compared to just 8% of Boomers.

Familiarity with the asset class has reached a near-universal level, with nine in 10 Americans reporting they are aware of cryptocurrency. Among this group, 52% view it as essential or important for building wealth, while 27% see it as a necessary complement to traditional investments. The survey identifies long-term growth potential (36%) and portfolio diversification (33%) as the primary motivators for ownership. Beyond direct investment, the data suggests a broadening interest in the underlying ecosystem:

• 44% of those familiar with crypto are interested in direct ownership of Bitcoin or Ethereum.
• 39% are interested in cryptocurrency-related stocks.
• 37% are interested in cryptocurrency ETPs or mutual funds.
• 37% are interested in stablecoins.
• 31% are interested in tokenized assets.

Despite this interest, barriers to entry remain high. Concerns about scams or fraud (48%), a lack of understanding regarding how the technology works (39%), and insufficient regulation (34%) are the leading reasons non-owners stay on the sidelines. Notably, 52% of respondents rate cryptocurrency as a high-risk investment, the highest risk rating of any asset measured in the study.

"Existing cryptocurrency investors are certainly leaning in, particularly younger investors who are driving much of the interest and momentum in cryptocurrency. But to me, the bigger story is that cryptocurrency is increasingly viewed as a complement to traditional investments. Rather than treating it as a standalone position, investors are thinking more holistically about what role cryptocurrency may play in their broader portfolios and how it aligns with their financial goals."

Joe Vietri, Head of Digital Assets at Charles Schwab.

The companies involved

Charles Schwab is a major financial services provider that has increasingly positioned itself at the intersection of traditional brokerage and digital asset management. Operating through its primary portal at aboutschwab.com, the firm has established a dedicated digital assets division to manage the growing intersection of retail trading and blockchain-based investments. The company’s annual Modern Wealth Survey serves as a benchmark for retail investor sentiment in the United States, tracking shifts in how different generations approach saving and wealth accumulation.

Under the leadership of Joe Vietri, Head of Digital Assets, the firm has focused on providing educational resources to bridge the gap between interest and understanding. This is evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of pageviews reported for their cryptocurrency content. As a market leader, the company’s data reflects a broader industry trend where traditional financial institutions are forced to reconcile high-volatility digital assets with the conservative goals of long-term wealth management and retirement planning.

What FF News has reported before

Charles Schwab has consistently expanded its digital and retail offerings over the past year. In August 2026, the firm launched Single Stock Futures for 24/7 Retail Trading on thinkorswim, providing more sophisticated tools to its user base. This followed the introduction of AI-Powered Portfolio Insights for UK Retail Investors, signaling a push toward automated, data-driven advice. A Charles Schwab UK Survey also recently noted a pivot toward gold and AI amid geopolitical uncertainty, highlighting how the firm tracks diverse asset preferences globally. Additionally, the broader wealth management sector is seeing increased automation, as seen when Anthropic Launched Claude for Financial Advisors to streamline workflows.

What this means

This announcement signals that the "crypto winter" mentality has been replaced by a "portfolio integration" phase. The fact that crypto owners are more likely to increase their holdings than ETF or stock owners puts immense pressure on traditional brokerages and fintech platforms to provide seamless, secure access to digital assets. The industry is moving toward a reality where a "diversified portfolio" is incomplete without a digital component. However, the high concern regarding scams and lack of regulation suggests that the market is still waiting for a "flight to quality" where trusted, regulated institutions provide the safety net that decentralized platforms currently lack. The generational divide in ownership further suggests that the long-term survival of wealth management firms depends on their ability to speak the language of Millennial and Gen Z investors who view crypto as a fundamental building block of wealth.