Wealthy Investors Own Crypto but Few Integrate It into Long‑Term Plans, Nexo Finds

New research from Nexo shows that while roughly 67% of high‑net‑worth individuals in the United States, United Kingdom and Argentina own cryptocurrency, integration into broader financial strategies remains limited.

Crypto ownership versus integration

The survey of 1,000 affluent investors recorded an average Crypto Integration Index score of 4.83 out of 10. Only 4.7% of respondents scored 7 or higher, a threshold Nexo defines as “Structurally Integrated,” meaning crypto holdings are part of long‑term planning, replace traditional assets and are held for extended periods.

Key obstacles for deeper use

Among investors with higher integration scores, 36% cited security concerns, 34% pointed to high fees, and 28% mentioned platform complexity as friction points.

Regional differences

• Argentina had the highest ownership rate at 74% but the lowest average integration score (4.62).
• The United States showed the lowest ownership rate (62%) but the highest integration score (5.07).
• The United Kingdom fell in between with 65% ownership and a 4.75 integration score.

Age‑related trends

Investors aged 35‑44 displayed the strongest retirement integration, with 28% treating crypto as a core retirement asset. The 18‑25 age group had the highest ownership (>90%) but only 2% planned a ten‑year investment horizon.

Industry context

Despite limited integration, just under 20% of surveyed investors expect crypto to become their primary source of wealth creation over the next decade, ahead of salary, equities and real estate. Wealth managers are also showing interest, with a separate Bitwise poll indicating 60% plan to allocate to crypto within a year.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a gap between crypto ownership and its use in long‑term financial planning among affluent investors, driven primarily by concerns over security, fees and platform usability.