Just a few years ago, cryptocurrency funds were seen as a niche investment. But this year’s Schwab Asset Management survey shows a major shift. According to the ETFs and Beyond report published on Thursday, 45% of ETF investors plan to invest in crypto ETFs – products that track the performance of cryptocurrencies. The same share of investors said they plan to buy bond ETFs, meaning crypto funds are, for the first time, matching traditional bond funds in investor interest.

Surprising figures

Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas called the numbers “shocking.” “It was surprising to see cryptocurrencies matching bonds in investor plans,” he wrote on X. “It’s an incredible result, considering crypto ETFs account for only about 1% of all managed assets, while bond funds make up 17%.”

The Schwab survey included 2,000 individual investors aged 25–75, each with at least $25,000 in investable assets. Half of them have traded ETFs actively in the past two years.

Younger investors drive growth

While older generations stick to traditional assets, younger investors are embracing crypto with enthusiasm. Up to 57% of millennials (born 1981–1996) said they plan to invest in crypto ETFs, compared with 41% of Gen X (1965–1980) and only 15% of baby boomers (1946–1964).

Balchunas added that the survey results were “extremely bullish” not only for cryptocurrencies, but for ETFs in general: “Virtually everyone plans to increase their ETF use – especially younger generations.”

Low costs and easy access

According to Schwab, the main reasons investors choose ETFs are low costs and accessibility. A full 94% of respondents said ETFs help keep portfolio expenses low. About half also appreciate that ETFs allow them to access alternative asset classes and specific investment strategies outside their core portfolios.

David Botset, Managing Director at Schwab Asset Management, said the investment world is undergoing a profound transformation: “Individual investors today have access to new asset classes, investment strategies, and tools. It’s fundamentally changing how people think about their portfolios.”

What it means for the market

The results clearly show that crypto ETFs are becoming an integral part of the investment landscape. If this trend continues, crypto funds could significantly increase their share of the ETF market in the coming years. Growing interest from younger investors and pressure for financial innovation could drive further digital asset adoption and market diversification.

Sources:

https://content.schwab.com/web/retail/public/about-schwab/Schwab-ETFs-and-Beyond-Study-2025_findings.pdf

https://x.com/EricBalchunas/status/1986439385261195328

https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-etfs-match-bonds-in-schwab-investor-report