Wealthy Investors Want Digital Assets Advice--But Many Question Their Advisors' Own Crypto Experience, New CoinShares Study Finds

Rhea-AI Summary

CoinShares' latest investor sentiment study reveals a significant demand-expertise gap in crypto advisory services. The survey of 500 wealthy investors shows that 82% prefer advisors offering crypto guidance, yet 29% question advisors' crypto experience and risk transparency. The study found 89% of current digital asset holders plan to increase their crypto exposure in 2025, with over half monitoring crypto daily. Key findings highlight that 88% of crypto investors work with financial advisors, and 78% of non-crypto investors would do so if given credible digital asset support. Investors particularly value risk management (54%), access to regulated vehicles like crypto ETFs (54%), and custody guidance (51%). The research indicates a stronger appetite for crypto investment among sub-high-net-worth investors compared to their wealthier counterparts, though they face greater information barriers.

Positive

• 82% of wealthy investors prefer advisors offering crypto guidance, showing strong market demand
• 89% of current digital asset holders plan to increase crypto exposure in 2025
• 88% of crypto investors already work with financial advisors, indicating high advisory engagement
• Investors favor regulated investment products, with 28% using ETFs and trusts versus 21% using exchanges

Negative

• 29% of investors question advisors' crypto experience and risk transparency
• Sub-high-net-worth investors face significant information and access barriers in crypto markets
• Disconnect exists between advisors and clients regarding trust, risk, and communication
• Higher resistance to crypto adoption among wealthier investors (13%) compared to sub-high-net-worth (39%)

Most wealthy investors prefer a financial advisor with crypto expertise, but nearly one-third flag concerns over credibility and risk transparency.

SAINT HELIER, Jersey, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CoinShares International Limited ("CoinShares" or the "Company") (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), a global investment firm specializing in digital assets, today released findings from its latest investor sentiment study, revealing a significant credibility gap facing financial advisors: while a majority of wealthy investors seek expert guidance on digital assets, many remain skeptical of their advisor's ability to provide it.

The survey, which polled 500 investors including high-net worth and sub-high-net worth individuals, found that 82% would be more inclined to work with a financial advisor who offers crypto-related investment guidance. Yet, 29% say they would view a lack of personal experience with digital assets or recommending digital asset products without risk explanation as major red flags, raising concerns about advisors' preparedness to support this growing client demand.

"Digital asset adoption is advancing rapidly among investors who are self-educated and actively involved—but that doesn't mean they want to go it alone," said Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO of CoinShares. "They're looking for advisors who can serve as strategic partners, not product pushers. There is a significant opportunity for advisors who invest in their own credibility to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. CoinShares stands ready to support advisors with the depth of its research team and a comprehensive library of insights."

Key insights from the study:

• Investors are bullish on crypto: 89% of current digital asset holders—including HNW investors—plan to increase exposure to the asset class in 2025. Over half monitor or trade crypto at least daily, suggesting crypto is now a core part of their wealth strategy.
• Investor trust is conditional; digital asset expertise is now table stakes: 88% of crypto investors already work with a financial advisor, and 78% of non-crypto investors would do so if their advisor offered credible digital asset support. Similarly, 55% of respondents say it is "extremely important" for financial advisors to have digital asset knowledge, and 51% say they would specifically seek out advisors who provide crypto education.
• Crypto is becoming a tool for wealth mobility: Sub-high-net-worth investors are more likely than their wealthier peers to say they plan to increase their crypto exposure in the near future (39% vs. 13%). However, they face steeper information and access barriers; many are teaching themselves, using public tools and platforms to navigate complex markets often built for institutional players.
• Investors want more than basic knowledge: Investors want advisors to serve as educators, risk managers, and gatekeepers to secure investment vehicles such as crypto ETFs and trusts. The most valued advisor roles include risk management (54%), access to compliant vehicles like crypto ETFs and trusts (54%), and custody and security guidance (51%).
• Regulated products are the preferred gateway: Investors favor digital asset vehicles like ETFs and trusts for their security and regulatory oversight. 28% of investors use these regulated investment products, more than the 21% who invest through centralized exchanges.

"As the digital asset landscape matures, the advisor-client relationship will be defined by credibility," added Mognetti. "Investors aren't just asking 'what should I buy?' They're asking 'do you understand this space as well as I do?'"

This research builds upon CoinShares' February 2025 study of U.S.-based financial advisors, providing a comparative look at how investors and advisors are aligned—and where they have differing views—on the future of digital asset investing. Together, the studies highlight a shared interest in crypto, but some disconnect between the two audiences on trust, risk, and communication.

The CoinShares survey was fielded in April 2025 and polled 500 wealthy investors: 250 sub-high-net-worth investors (US adults with between $500,000 and $999,999 in investable assets) and 250 high-net-worth investors (US adults with $1M+ in investible assets). The survey results are subject to a margin of error of ±4.4%, adhering to rigorous standards of statistical reliability. 

For more information about the survey, visit: https://coinshares.com/us/insights/investors-survey/

About CoinShares

CoinShares is a leading global investment company specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Focusing on crypto since 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, and in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Futures Association and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com

Company | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com

Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com

Press Contact

CoinShares
Benoît Pellevoizin
bpellevoizin@coinshares.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wealthy-investors-want-digital-assets-advicebut-many-question-their-advisors-own-crypto-experience-new-coinshares-study-finds-302487946.html

SOURCE CoinShares Group

FAQ

What percentage of wealthy investors want crypto guidance from their financial advisors?

According to the CoinShares study, 82% of wealthy investors would be more inclined to work with a financial advisor who offers crypto-related investment guidance.

How many investors plan to increase their crypto exposure in 2025 according to CoinShares?

89% of current digital asset holders, including high-net-worth investors, plan to increase their exposure to crypto in 2025.

What are the main concerns investors have about financial advisors regarding crypto?

29% of investors cite concerns about advisors' lack of personal experience with digital assets and insufficient risk explanation when recommending digital asset products.

What percentage of CNSRF investors prefer regulated crypto investment products?

28% of investors use regulated investment products like ETFs and trusts, compared to 21% who invest through centralized exchanges, showing a preference for regulated vehicles.

How important is digital asset knowledge for financial advisors according to the study?

55% of respondents say it is 'extremely important' for financial advisors to have digital asset knowledge, and 51% would specifically seek out advisors who provide crypto education.