Nexo says 67% of affluent investors own crypto but few make it central to wealth plans

• Nexo reveals that while 67% of affluent investors hold cryptocurrency, integration into overall wealth strategies remains limited.
• Adoption is primarily hindered by concerns regarding security, transaction fees, and platform complexity.
• Despite having lower overall ownership rates, US-based investors demonstrate the most comprehensive crypto integration.

A recent survey from Nexo indicates that although high-net-worth investors are buying cryptocurrency in growing numbers, many remain hesitant to weave digital assets into the fabric of their long-term financial strategies.

The study revealed that 67% of wealthy investors in the United States, United Kingdom, and Argentina currently own digital assets. Yet, obstacles such as security worries, steep fees, and intricate platforms prevent many from utilizing cryptocurrency for retirement or as a substitute for conventional investments.

On September 23, Nexo released the “Future of Digital Wealth 2026” report following a poll of 1,000 affluent investors. The company’s new Crypto Integration Index (CII), which evaluates how thoroughly digital assets are woven into personal finances, generated a mean score of 4.83 out of 10.

Ownership outpaces deeper integration

According to Nexo, a score mirroring the survey average of 4.83 signifies a modest, short-term crypto allocation kept entirely separate from retirement planning.

Just 4.7% of the participants achieved a score of seven or higher—a threshold Nexo defines as structural integration, where digital assets substitute a traditional holding and become a component of long-term wealth strategy.

Furthermore, just under 20% of those surveyed anticipate that cryptocurrency will serve as their primary vehicle for personal wealth growth over the next decade, surpassing wages, stocks, and real estate.

Meanwhile, more than 40% currently hold crypto investments without using them to actively build broader wealth.

“Once an investor gets past the risk perception stage, what’s left is security, fees, and platform user-friendliness and capabilities – the same things we’ve spent years building Nexo to solve,” noted Neil Steinhardt, COO of Nexo US.

That’s the gap between owning crypto and actually building wealth with it, and it’s exactly where our platform is designed to meet investors.

Adoption levels also differ across geographic regions. Argentina posted the highest ownership rate at 74% alongside a CII score of 4.62. Conversely, the US recorded the lowest ownership at 62%, yet achieved the highest integration score at 5.07.

In the UK, metrics showed 65% ownership paired with a CII score of 4.75.

Platform trust becomes the next hurdle

The findings indicate that crypto integration reaches its peak among investors between 35 and 44 years old, with 28% treating digital assets as a fundamental retirement holding.

Conversely, younger investors aged 18 to 25 demonstrated the highest rates of ownership and conviction—with over 90% holding crypto—yet merely 2% maintained an investment horizon spanning 10 years or more.

Among structurally integrated participants who scored seven or higher on the CII, friction points center primarily on platform trust. Specifically, 36% pointed to security worries, 34% cited high fees, and 28% highlighted platform complexity.

“Risk perception used to be the story in every crypto adoption survey. It isn’t anymore,” stated Iliya Kalchev, an analyst at Nexo.

In our data, risk perception barely separates investors who’ve built real wealth with crypto from those who haven’t — what actually divides them is whether they’ve substituted crypto for a traditional asset and folded it into retirement planning. For affluent investors it’s the planning and the smoothness of operating with that crypto that remains to be resolved.

Conducted in February and March 2026 via Attest, the survey required US and UK respondents to possess a minimum of $100,000 in liquid assets, while Argentine participants needed at least $40,000. These specific thresholds were designed to target the top 25% to 30% of each respective market based on investable wealth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of affluent investors own cryptocurrency according to Nexo?

Nexo’s survey found that 67% of affluent investors across the US, UK, and Argentina currently own crypto.

What is the Crypto Integration Index (CII)?

The Crypto Integration Index is a metric created by Nexo to measure how deeply crypto is incorporated into an investor’s finances. It produced an average score of 4.83 out of 10 in the survey.

Which country showed the deepest crypto integration?

The US recorded the deepest integration with an average CII score of 5.07, despite having the lowest overall ownership rate among the surveyed countries at 62%.

What are the primary barriers keeping affluent investors from integrating crypto into long-term wealth plans?

Key barriers include security concerns, high fees, and platform complexity.

How many investors treat crypto as a core retirement asset?

Integration peaks among investors aged 35 to 44, where 28% treat digital assets as a core retirement asset. Overall, only 4.7% of all surveyed investors reached a structurally integrated level (scoring 7 or higher on the CII).