Investors Now Want Crypto Just as Much as ETFs

Core Insights - Retail investors are increasingly favoring ETFs, particularly in equities and crypto, as indicated by a survey from BlackRock involving 5,000 respondents [2][3] - The survey highlights a shift in investment preferences, especially among younger investors, with 66% of US investors owning individual stocks and 43% holding mutual funds, while ETFs are the fastest-growing category [2] ETF Market Trends - The demand for ETFs is on the rise, with 83% of current ETF owners likely to purchase equity funds and 36% considering crypto funds in the next year [2] - Among potential ETF investors, there is nearly equal interest in equity (51%) and crypto (47%) ETFs [2] Regulatory Environment - The SEC has recently relaxed regulations, allowing for new ETF products, including those focused on spot-price crypto and meme coins, which is expected to boost the market significantly [4] - New ETFs such as the 21Shares FTSE Crypto 10 Index ETF and the Canary Capital XRP ETF have recently launched, indicating a growing variety of options for investors [4][5] Industry Commentary - BlackRock's head of US direct investing noted that the rise in ETF adoption reflects a broader trend towards simplicity, accessibility, and digital-first experiences among investors [3] - The new crypto ETFs are positioned similarly to traditional index funds, emphasizing market ownership rather than individual coin speculation [5]