Young men aren’t investing in a 401(k) for retirement — they’re banking on bitcoin

Core Insights - Young American men are increasingly investing in cryptocurrency, with 26% owning crypto and 28% owning any crypto-based asset, surpassing the 21% who have traditional retirement accounts [2] - Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency among young men, with 53% reporting ownership, while 18% own ether or Solana [3] - Higher-income and college-educated young men are more likely to own both cryptocurrency and retirement accounts, indicating a shift in investment behavior [3][5] Group 1: Cryptocurrency Ownership - 26% of young men own cryptocurrency, and 28% own crypto-based assets, which is higher than the 21% who have a 401(k) or similar retirement fund [2] - Among crypto holders, 53% own Bitcoin, while 18% own ether or Solana, with less than 20% investing in "memecoins" [3] Group 2: Demographics and Investment Behavior - Young men with family incomes of $100,000 or more show higher rates of cryptocurrency ownership (42%) and retirement fund ownership (33%) compared to those earning under $60,000 [3] - 39% of college-educated young men own cryptocurrency, compared to 23% of those without a college degree [3] Group 3: Employment Status and Retirement Access - Full-time employees have more balanced portfolios, with 37% owning cryptocurrency and the same percentage having retirement accounts [4] - Among part-time workers, 27% hold cryptocurrency while only 16% have a retirement account, highlighting a gap in financial security [4][5] - Almost half of full-time American workers lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, particularly affecting young workers in unstable jobs [5]