Group 1 - Nearly half (45%) of younger US investors own crypto, compared to 18% of older generations, indicating a significant generational shift in investment preferences [1][2] - Younger investors allocate 25% of their portfolios to non-traditional assets, which is three times the 8% allocation among older investors, highlighting a growing trend towards alternative investments [2] - 73% of younger investors believe their generation faces greater wealth-building challenges compared to older adults, influenced by factors like housing affordability and student debt [3][4] Group 2 - Younger investors view crypto as a central strategy rather than a speculative investment, with 47% wanting access to new crypto assets before they are widely available [5] - Four in five younger investors are open to trying new investment opportunities, including crypto derivatives and decentralized finance products, compared to under half of older adults [6] - There is a strong belief among younger investors (80%) that cryptocurrency will play a significantly larger role in future financial systems, contrasting with 60% of older investors [5]

Core Insights - The wealth gap between baby boomers and younger generations continues to widen, with boomers benefiting from rising homeownership and asset accumulation, particularly in stocks [2][5][8] - Younger Americans face significant financial challenges, including high student debt, rising living costs, and stagnant wage growth, which hinder their ability to save and invest [4][9][11] Group 1: Baby Boomers' Wealth Accumulation - Homeownership among older Americans increased significantly from 1983 to 2022, with boomers owning more homes and benefiting from rising property values [1] - By 2022, boomers' stock investments had surged, capturing decades of market gains that younger households missed [2] - Many boomers have paid off their homes and seen substantial growth in their retirement accounts, allowing them to draw on Social Security and Medicare benefits [5][6] Group 2: Challenges for Younger Generations - Young Americans are burdened with increasing student debt and high living costs, which consume their income before they can save [4][11] - Despite some improvements in net worth, the financial gap with boomers remains significant, with younger generations feeling the strain of high mortgage debt and rising expenses [3][8] - The median home price has escalated from approximately $195,000 in 1980 to $422,400 in 2025, making homeownership more challenging for younger buyers [12] Group 3: Financial Strategies for Younger Generations - Younger individuals are encouraged to automate savings and take advantage of employer 401(k) matching to build wealth over time [15][19] - Investing in low-cost index funds or ETFs is recommended as a long-term strategy to benefit from market growth [20] - Utilizing budgeting tools and financial advisors can help younger Americans manage their finances more effectively and work towards closing the wealth gap [13][24]