From Crypto to Stocks, Here’s Where Americans Are Investing Their Money This Year (2024)

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From Crypto to Stocks, Here’s Where Americans Are Investing Their Money This Year (1)

Most Americans — 65% — are actively investing, a recenteMoney Advisorsurvey found. And, while stocks are the most common type of investment asset, with 48% of Americans invested in stock, cryptocurrency is a very close second, at 43%.

“There is clearly a strong interest in crypto investing among average American investors, perhaps led by social awareness and buzz, the assumption they can get rich quick or the ease of access to invest,” said Celeste Revelli, CFP and director of financial planning at eMoney Advisor.

This interest in crypto could increase in the coming years, she said.

“There is definite potential for this new asset type to continue to rise in popularity,” Revelli said. “Whether or not this is a trend that’s here to stay, there is a need for more financial education, especially because they carry a level of risk. This should be a call-to-action for financial professionals to be proactive in guiding individual investors on how to incorporate cryptocurrency into a personalized and diversified investment portfolio.”

Here’s a closer look at the most popular investments of 2022 — and the pros and cons of each.

Nearly Half of Americans Are Invested in Stocks

Stocks allow you to share in the success of a public company as they represent shares of ownership, Revelli explains. While they are a popular investment, investors do need to know that they come with risk, as the performance of the shares is tied to the performance of the company.

Although there is risk involved, stocks may be a particularly good investment in 2022.

“Stocks historically allow you to stay ahead of inflation and receive income from dividends paid to shareholders,” Revelli said.

Read More: Fastest Ways To Become Rich by Investing in the Stock Market

There are also ways to mitigate your losses.

“There is risk in losing your investment if the company does poorly, but you could claim a capital loss if you liquidate,” Revelli said.

It’s important to understand how stocks work, what you may owe on trades and which stocks are the best fit for your risk level.

“If the company does well, there could be short- or long-term capital gains tax on the appreciation if you sell,” Revelli said. “There are a multitude of choices, and it takes time to research to understand what stocks fit your risk tolerance and how to build a diversified portfolio.”

Investing for Everyone

Crypto Is Gaining in Popularity

More Americans are now invested in cryptocurrency than in other more traditional assets, such as mutual funds and bonds. And there are some definite benefits to investing in crypto.

“Investing in cryptocurrencies allows for a more transparent financial system on the blockchain,” Revelli said. “It is also very accessible and trades around the clock, unlike the traditional stock market.”

Discover: 4 Best Crypto Exchanges of 2022

But she warns against investing in crypto without taking the time to fully understand it first.

“It takes time to research how to invest in crypto and how they work,” Revelli said.

And in addition to being complex, crypto can be very volatile.

“The appreciation of these assets depends on the demand of the other investors in the system,” Revelli said. “So, while there is potential for high reward, there is equally as much risk for volatility and loss.”

41% of Americans Are Invested in Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are an easy way to diversify your investment portfolio.

“Mutual funds allow you to invest in several different stocks and/or bonds all rolled up into each share,” Revelli said. “They are professionally managed by a portfolio manager, so the investor benefits from expert portfolio diversification and risk reduction.”

On the downside, they often come with high management fees and expense ratios.

36% of Americans Are Invested in Real Estate

Real estate can be a lucrative investment — if you choose the right property.

“Real estate has potential for appreciation based on the location and demand for the area and type of property,” Revelli said. “Some property can even be purchased below market rates, which would mean a higher rate of return when sold. It can also generate income if the property is rented out, but there is risk in managing the property for repairs or damage and finding steady reliable renters.”

Another risk is not being able to access the funds you put into the property if you need that money quickly.

“Real estate is not readily liquid; so, to realize the investment, there must be a buyer willing to pay at the sale price or at least a price above the initial purchase and closing costs,” Revelli said. “This transaction can also take some time between listing and getting under contract to the sale.”

Investing for Everyone

36% of Americans Are Invested in Bonds

Bonds are tied with real estate as the fourth-most popular investment of 2022.

“Bonds are generally less risky than stocks since they are essentially a loan to the bond issuer — such as a company or a government entity — for which you get fixed interest payments,” Revelli said. “However, there is a default risk involved if the bond issuer goes bankrupt or is not able to pay the interest payments. There is also interest rate risk if the interest rate environment is not favorable.”

Despite these risks, however, Revelli recommends having some bonds in your portfolio.

“Bonds are a good option for helping to diversify a portfolio and complement stocks,” she said.

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From Crypto to Stocks, Here’s Where Americans Are Investing Their Money This Year (2)

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FAQs

Why investing in crypto is no better than investing in stocks? ›

Individual stocks almost always have far less volatility than cryptocurrency, but they're still not stable. In fact, until crypto came along shares in a single stock were generally considered the most volatile investments you could make.

Where do most people invest their money? ›

12 best investments right now
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs)
  • Money market funds.
  • Government bonds.
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Mutual funds.
  • Index funds.
  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
May 4, 2023

What percentage of my wealth should I invest in crypto? ›

Common investment advice states that anywhere from 1% - 5% is a safe allocation when considering an investment with higher risk. And as a market with marked volatility, crypto certainly carries a level of risk. While 1% - 5% invested in crypto may not seem like a lot, it has the potential to build over time.

What percent of 18 29 year olds are investing in the stock market? ›

U.S. Stock Ownership, by Subgroup
YesNo
%%
Age
18 to 294158
30 to 496733
26 more rows
May 24, 2023

Should I invest more in stocks or crypto? ›

Stocks provide stability. They've been the go-to investment to build wealth for individuals and organizations for most of the 20th century and into the 21st century. Cryptocurrency is the riskier investment. It offers the chance for big rewards, but at higher risk.

Is it better to invest in stock or cryptocurrency? ›

Stocks can generally offer more stable returns, but crypto can potentially offer higher gains. What's your timeline? Crypto's price fluctuations might help you make money much more quickly than the stock market's longer horizons, but can also lead to significant short-term losses.

Where do millionaires keep their cash? ›

Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills. They keep rolling them over to reinvest them, and liquidate them when they need the cash.

Where do most billionaires invest their money? ›

Private Equity and Hedge Funds

While they aren't the same thing, these two types of investment tools are popular among billionaires. They appeal to people of high net worth who can afford large investments and higher risk. Such people are sometimes categorized as sophisticated investors or accredited investors.

Do millionaires invest in cryptocurrency? ›

In fact, a recent report by the financial services company deVere Group, analysed data that revealed an astonishing 82% of millionaires are now seeking advice on Bitcoin investment.

Which crypto will explode in 2023? ›

Pikamoon (PIKA) – A play-to-earn Pokemon-inspired blockchain project. The 10,000+ whitelist signups and over 15,000 social media followers indicate it will be one of the next cryptocurrencies to explode in 2023.

How many millionaires invest in crypto? ›

Notwithstanding the difficulty of confirming this number precisely, our research indicates that there are at least 32,500 individuals who have achieved millionaire status through their cryptocurrency holdings at current market value.

How much should a 70 year old have in the stock market? ›

If you're 70, you should keep 30% of your portfolio in stocks. However, with Americans living longer and longer, many financial planners are now recommending that the rule should be closer to 110 or 120 minus your age.

Who owns the most stocks in the world? ›

'Billionaire Stocks': Bill Gates, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)

The natural stock pick held by the world's wealthiest person is Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), the giant tech company Bill Gates co-founded with Paul Allen in 1975. Gates still owns almost 103 million shares of the company worth $15.4 billion.

What age are most investors? ›

The average age when a person starts investing is 33.3, according to a 2021 study by robo-advisor Personal Capital.

Do you have to pay taxes on cryptocurrency? ›

The IRS generally treats gains on cryptocurrency the same way it treats any kind of capital gain. That is, you'll pay ordinary tax rates on short-term capital gains (up to 37 percent in 2023, depending on your income) for assets held less than a year.

What is the best stock to buy right now? ›

Table of contents
  • Best Stocks to Buy Right Now.
  • Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ: AMZN)
  • Devon Energy Corp (NYSE: DVN)
  • Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META)
  • H&R Block Inc (NYSE: HRB)
  • ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ: ASML)
  • Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: XOM)
  • UGI Corp (NYSE: UGI)

Which crypto is best to invest for long-term? ›

10 Best Crypto Projects for Buy for Long-Term Investment in 2023
  • Aptos (APT) ...
  • Chainlink (LINK) ...
  • XRP (XRP) ...
  • Toncoin (TON) ...
  • Avalanche (AVAX) ...
  • Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR) ...
  • Republic Note (NOTE) ...
  • Bitcoin (BTC) Closing of the list is the project that kick-started the current cryptocurrency industry as we know it, Bitcoin.
May 6, 2023

Should you invest in cryptocurrency 2023? ›

In conclusion, investing in crypto in 2023 can still be a wise decision for many investors. The crypto market continues to evolve and grow, with increasing adoption and regulatory developments helping to make it a more attractive investment option.

Why not to invest in cryptocurrency? ›

There are several risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency: loss of capital, government regulations, fraud and hacks. Loss of capital. Mark Hastings, partner at Quillon Law, warns that investors must tread carefully in crypto's unique financial environment or risk significant losses.

What is the average return on cryptocurrency? ›

Bitcoin (^BTC): Historical Returns. In the last 10 Years, the Bitcoin (^BTC) Commodity obtained a 73.29% compound annual return, with a 172.26% standard deviation.

Can I live off the interest of 1 million dollars? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

What bank do most millionaires use? ›

Best Private Banks For Millionaires
  • Bank of America: Private Banking.
  • Citi: Private Banking.
  • HSBC: Private Banking.
  • JP Morgan: Private Bank.
  • Morgan Stanley.
  • UBS.
  • Wells Fargo: Private Bank.
Apr 26, 2023

What happens to my money in the bank if the dollar collapses? ›

The agency collects insurance premiums from banks so that in the event that bank becomes insolvent deposits at the financial institution are guaranteed up to a limit, at no expense to the US taxpayer. The standard deposit insurance coverage limit is $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, per FDIC bank.

How much money do wealthy people keep in the bank? ›

What is an ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI)? These are people with investable assets of more than $30 million, according to the 2021 Knight Frank Wealth Report. 14 By comparison, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have at least $1 million in assets.

Where do 90% of millionaires come from? ›

“90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate.

Where is the safest place to keep cash at home? ›

Where to safely keep cash at home. Just like any other piece of paper, cash can get lost, wet or burned. Consider buying a fireproof and waterproof safe for your home. It's also useful for storing other valuables in your home such as jewelry and important personal documents.

Do billionaires use credit cards? ›

Wealthy Americans generally use credit cards the same way that everyone else does. They opt for cash back and no annual fee cards, and generally trust the big issuers.

Can you keep millions in the bank? ›

Can You Keep Millions in the Bank? Keeping large amounts of money in a bank can be tricky, but it is possible. There are limits to the amount of money that is insured for each depositor at a bank — up to $250,000 per depositor with the FDIC — so the super wealthy often spread out their accounts over multiple banks.

What do rich people mostly invest in? ›

No matter how much their annual salary may be, most millionaires put their money where it will grow, usually in stocks, bonds, and other types of stable investments. Millionaires put their money into places where it will grow such as mutual funds, stocks and retirement accounts.

What crypto is most likely to make you rich? ›

Bitcoin – The Original Crypto Asset and the Largest by Market Capitalization. It will likely come as no surprise to see Bitcoin on this list of crypto that will make you rich. The original crypto of choice was launched in 2009 and has since produced unprecedented gains for early investors.

Which crypto currency will make you a millionaire? ›

Ethereum. Ethereum is a platform powered by blockchain technology that is best known for its native cryptocurrency, called Ether, or ETH, or simply Ethereum. ETH has been at the forefront of a blockchain smart contract platform. It is one of the top 10 cryptocurrencies with millionaire-maker potential in 2022.

How do crypto millionaires cash out? ›

At the end of the day, you have 5 options: a cryptocurrency exchange, an OTC brokerage, peer-to-peer exchanges, Bitcoin ATMs, and crypto gift cards. These are the most commonly used, and ultimately, the best way to cash out Bitcoin will depend on your specific needs and circ*mstances.

Which crypto has 1000X potential? ›

Ethereum (ETH)

Its network powers decentralized applications (Dapps), smart contracts, and stablecoins and is used by over 40 million users. This makes ETH a great long-term investment that could potentially multiply your investment up to 1000X in 2023. Ethereum has incredible long-term potential.

Which coin is going to pump? ›

We have narrowed down our choice of crypto coins that are expected to pump 30x before 2024 to eight. Prime suspects among them are Love Hate Inu (LHINU), DeeLance (DLANCE), Metropoly (METRO), Ecoterra (ECOTERRA), and RobotEra (TARO), as these tokens represent a new era in crypto development.

What is the safest cryptocurrency? ›

Is Bitcoin safe? Bitcoin is the most recognized cryptocurrency, so it's generally viewed as one of the safer investments within the crypto world. As with all cryptocurrencies, however, Bitcoin's price can change dramatically within a short time period.

What cryptocurrency are billionaires buying? ›

As might be expected, Bitcoin (BTC -0.45%) is a favorite choice of billionaires looking to extend their wealth into new asset classes such as crypto. Lately, Ethereum (ETH -0.27%) has been attracting its own share of billionaire supporters.

How much ethereum should I buy to be a millionaire? ›

Assuming it maintains it's total supply and manages to achieve exactly half of Bitcoin's market capitalization, this would translate to an $ETH price of $87,706. $87,706 is a 41x from current prices. To be a millionaire by 2030, this would require you to hold 11.4 $ETH, or $24,114 at current prices.

Can anyone get rich from crypto? ›

You can absolutely make money through crypto, just as you would trading any other type of asset. But with the extra volatility, there is a higher risk and higher potential profits.

How much cash should a 70 year old have? ›

Emergency Funds for Retirees

Despite the ability to access retirement accounts, many experts recommend that retirees keep enough cash on hand to cover between six and twelve months of daily living expenses. Some even suggest keeping up to three years' worth of living expenses in cash.

How much should a 70 year old have in savings? ›

If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. How Much Should a 70-Year-Old Have in Savings? Financial experts generally recommend saving anywhere from $1 million to $2 million for retirement.

How much should a 65 year old have saved for retirement? ›

The suggested savings guidelines say you need about ten times your annual salary in savings as you reach your full retirement age. The median salary of a 65-year-old is $54,000 per year — which means you'd need approximately $540,000 saved if you want to retire at 65.

What stock has made the most money ever? ›

The Best Performing Stocks in History
  • Coca-Cola. (NASDAQ: KO) ...
  • Altria. (NASDAQ: MO) ...
  • Amazon.com. (NASDAQ: AMZN) ...
  • Celgene. (NASDAQ: CELG) ...
  • Apple. (NASDAQ: AAPL) ...
  • Alphabet. (NASDAQ:GOOG) ...
  • Gilead Sciences. (NASDAQ: GILD) ...
  • Microsoft. (NASDAQ: MSFT)

How many millionaires are made from stocks? ›

The roaring stock market and crypto gains created more than a million new millionaires in the U.S. last year, according to a new report. The number of Americans with $1 million or more in investible assets surged to a record 14.6 million in 2021, according to a report from wealth research firm the Spectrem Group.

What stock does Warren Buffett own the most of? ›

Apple Stock Is No. 1 By Value

While Bank of America is the No. 1 Warren Buffett stock by number of shares, Apple is the No. 1 stock in Berkshire's portfolio by market value. That stake was worth a whopping $150.9 billion at the end of March 2023.

At what age should you stop investing in the market? ›

You probably want to hang it up around the age of 70, if not before. That's not only because, by that age, you are aiming to conserve what you've got more than you are aiming to make more, so you're probably moving more money into bonds, or an immediate lifetime annuity.

Is 70 too late to start investing? ›

It's never too late to start investing, but that doesn't mean you'll have the same investment strategy as your 22 year-old niece. Younger folks have more time to ride out the highs and lows of the stock market over time. People who are near retirement, or who are already retired, may want to take a different tack.

What age is too late to start investing? ›

No matter how old or young you are, it is never too late to start investing in the stock market. Investing now will allow you to take advantage of compounding returns sooner rather than later. This can make all the difference when it comes down to long-term financial goals such as retirement.

Why people don't want to invest in crypto? ›

Experts don't think so. Here's why. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves very high risk, as prices have been extremely volatile. Many experts are sceptical about bitcoin as an investment primarily because there is nothing for them to analyse.

How risky is crypto compared to stocks? ›

Cryptocurrencies Had Weekly Volatility Four Times Larger than Stocks. A standard measure of risk is volatility, or how much returns fluctuate over time. High volatility measurements mean higher highs and lower lows, while lower volatility means more level returns.

What is the downside of investing in crypto? ›

The lack of key policies related to transactions serves as a major drawback of cryptocurrencies. The no refund or cancellation policy can be considered the default stance for transactions wrongly made across crypto wallets and each crypto stock exchange or app has its own rules.

Why are people not investing in crypto? ›

No security: Most investors want to pool their capital in safe and secure investments. The major problem with bitcoin is its uncertainty about the future. There is always a risk of extreme volatility, cyber attacks in digital transactions, and several others.

Why crypto will not succeed? ›

The value of cryptocurrencies mostly rely on supply and demand. If the supply of a coin exceeds the demand, the price will likely decline, but if the demand exceeds the supply, there's a good chance the price will rise. The problem with this is that the demand for an asset changes regularly.

Why is everyone buying crypto? ›

A number of everyday investors say they are continuing to put their money into crypto because they believe digital currencies are their best chance at building significant wealth. Some 39% of crypto owners said last October that they would likely buy more, according to survey data from the Philadelphia Fed.

Why has crypto gone bad? ›

The slump in November 2022 was triggered by the collapse of FTX, which handled around $1 billion transactions each day. Its collapse is having a knock-on effect on other crypto exchanges. In June 2022 bitcoin dropped below $20,000 for the first time since 2020.

Why is crypto not the future? ›

The appeal of crypto's promise to reinvent money has reached its limit in a very niche audience. After hitting all-time highs in 2021, cryptocurrency prices haven't found a definitive floor. And the appeal of crypto's promise to reinvent money has also reached its limit in a very niche audience.

What is best stock to buy right now? ›

Top 10 Stocks To Buy Right Now
  • Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN)
  • The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS)
  • Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PANW)
  • The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA)
  • Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD)
  • Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
  • MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELI)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST)

Is crypto still a good investment 2023? ›

In conclusion, investing in crypto in 2023 can still be a wise decision for many investors. The crypto market continues to evolve and grow, with increasing adoption and regulatory developments helping to make it a more attractive investment option.

What are 3 cons of owning cryptocurrency? ›

Disadvantages of Cryptocurrency
  • Illegal Transactions. ...
  • Risk of Data Loss. ...
  • The Power Lies in a Few Hands. ...
  • Buying NFTs with Other Tokens. ...
  • No Refund or Cancellation. ...
  • High Consumption of Energy. ...
  • Vulnerable to Hacks. ...
  • Decentralized but Still Operated by Some Organization.
Feb 16, 2023

Is crypto the future of money? ›

"The market capitalization of all crypto assets has increased by more than 60% year-to-date to $1,330 billion as of 20 April 2023," they said. Despite the recent scandals and setbacks, cryptocurrencies will likely play a role in the future digital money ecosystem."

Are crypto investors losing money? ›

A higher percentage of cryptocurrency investors have lost money than made it. 38% of Americans who've held a form of the currency say they've sold it for less than when they bought it, versus 28% who say they made a profit. Only 13% say they broke even.

Is the crypto market failing? ›

The crypto markets are in turmoil, losing $600 billion dollars in a week. Bitcoin slumped below $30,000 for the first time since July 2021, which is less than half its November 2021 peak. TerraUSD and Terra have suffered the most, trading under $1 now.

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