Charles Schwab's latest research indicates that cryptocurrency holders plan to expand their positions more aggressively than investors in traditional asset classes, signaling sustained demand for blockchain talent and institutional crypto services.
Strong Appetite for Additional Crypto Exposure
The brokerage firm's 2026 Modern Wealth Survey, released this week, found that 60% of current cryptocurrency investors intend to increase their holdings over the next year. This surpasses expansion plans among owners of ETFs (56%), stocks (52%), bonds (42%), and mutual funds (41%).
The survey, conducted by Logica Research between late August and mid-September 2026, polled 2,000 Americans aged 21 to 75. Results show that one in five Americans currently hold cryptocurrency, while an additional 20% express interest in entering the market. Among active investors specifically, nearly half own digital assets.
Joe Vietri, Head of Digital Assets at Charles Schwab, emphasized that younger investors drive much of this momentum. Millennials demonstrate the highest cryptocurrency ownership rates, exceeding Baby Boomers by more than four times. However, Vietri noted the broader trend: "Cryptocurrency is increasingly viewed as a complement to traditional investments."
Implications for Institutional Infrastructure
As the largest custodian for registered investment advisors in the United States, Charles Schwab's expanding crypto offerings reflect growing institutional adoption. The firm began rolling out Schwab Crypto to retail clients earlier this year, providing direct bitcoin trading alongside educational resources and professional support.
Schwab currently offers cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded funds, bitcoin futures, and its proprietary Schwab Crypto Thematic Index ETF. CEO Rick Wurster disclosed that Schwab clients hold over 20% of all crypto exchange-traded products industry-wide.
The sustained investor interest documented in Schwab's survey points to continued growth opportunities for professionals in digital asset custody, compliance, institutional sales, and client education roles. As traditional financial institutions deepen their cryptocurrency infrastructure, demand for experienced blockchain professionals who can bridge legacy finance and digital assets will likely intensify across trading platforms, advisory services, and regulatory compliance teams.
