Exclusive 2025 Survey: 82% of Affluent US Investors Demand Crypto-Savvy Financial Advisors

Wall Street's old guard just got served a wake-up call—digital assets are now non-negotiable for high-net-worth portfolios.

Wealth whispers: The smart money wants advisors who speak Bitcoin fluently.

82% of US millionaires now prioritize financial planners with proven crypto strategies—because apparently 'HODL' counts as professional advice now. Traditional firms scrambling to rebrand their 1% fees as 'blockchain expertise.'

Bonus jab: Nothing builds trust like watching your advisor sweat through a 20% BTC dip during your quarterly review.

What investors want

Respondents cite two primary roles for advisers: securing compliant investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or trusts and designing portfolio allocation and risk management strategies, each selected by 54% of participants.

Other valued services include custody recommendations (46%), tax and regulatory support (49%), and education on blockchain fundamentals (47%).

When asked about red flags, 29% point to advisers who lack personal crypto experience, and another 29% point to product recommendations delivered without a clear explanation of risks.

Personas shape advice demand

CoinShares segment investors into three groups: “crypto-curious” (21%), “cautiously confident” (38%), and “committed” (37%).

The crypto-curious lean on advisers for basic education and prefer passive products. At the same time, the cautiously confident seek familiar structures such as ETFs and stablecoins.

The committed want advanced strategies covering decentralized finance (DeFi), staking, and tax optimization.

Across all personas, 65% say they have delayed an allocation because reliable information was lacking, and only 6% feel fully informed about digital-asset investing.

Adviser’s outlook

The report highlighted that 91% of advisers surveyed in late 2024 remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s mainstream adoption, and 42% warn that late adopters will face higher risks.

These views mirror client sentiment, as 90% of current crypto holders plan to increase exposure in 2025, while 75% of non-holders either want to learn more or intend to invest soon.

The findings position digital asset competence as a decisive factor in adviser selection among affluent investors and outline specific service areas, such as compliant products, portfolio design, custody, and tax guidance, that drive that preference.