Crypto markets surge after Trump’s victory
LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall breaks down the surge of crypto after Donald Trump 2024 presidential election win with Adam O’ Brien, CEO of Bitcoin Well.
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LOS ANGELES – A new Bankrate survey found that Americans now favor the stock market over real estate for money they won’t need for at least 10 years.
The survey, conducted Jan. 17-19, found that 27% of respondents chose stocks as their top investment, up slightly from 26% in 2022. Meanwhile, real estate fell to 24%, down from 29% in 2022, marking a shift in investment preferences after years of a booming housing market.
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How Americans rank long-term investments
By the numbers:
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Here’s how survey respondents ranked their top long-term investment choices:
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- Stock market – 27%
- Real estate – 24%
- Cash investments (savings, CDs) – 21%
- Gold and other precious metals – 9%
- Bitcoin/cryptocurrency – 6%
- Bonds – 6%
- Other investments – 7%
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The shift away from real estate comes as mortgage rates remain elevated and home prices continue rising, making real estate a less accessible option for many investors.
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Why some Americans avoid the stock market
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What they’re saying:
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Despite strong market performance, many Americans still hesitate to invest in stocks. The survey found that among those who did not pick the stock market, the top concerns were:
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- 34% – “Too much volatility”
- 21% – “Intimidated by the stock market”
- 13% – “The stock market is rigged against individuals”
- 13% – “Focused on preserving money rather than growing it”
- 12% – “The investment returns won’t keep pace with others”
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“Volatility and intimidation are the top reasons cited for those not choosing the stock market,” said McBride. “Fortunately, a solution exists—broad stock market index funds diversify risk over hundreds or even thousands of stocks, reducing the impact of volatility on any one stock or sector.”
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FILE – Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the morning trading on November 07, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Young investors are more open to cryptocurrency—but most still avoid it
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The backstory:
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Cryptocurrency remains a niche investment, with only 6% of Americans naming it as their top long-term investment choice.
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According to the survey, 78% of Americans said they are not comfortable investing in cryptocurrency, a slight increase from 75% in 2022.
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Generational comfort with crypto
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The survey found that younger generations are more open to investing in crypto than older ones:
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- Gen Z – 28% comfortable | 70% uncomfortable
- Millennials – 30% comfortable | 69% uncomfortable
- Gen X – 21% comfortable | 76% uncomfortable
- Baby Boomers – 6% comfortable | 91% uncomfortable
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The generational gap highlights how younger investors are more willing to explore digital assets, but overall, cryptocurrency still struggles to gain mainstream trust as a reliable investment.
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Investment preferences vary by income and education
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The survey also found stark differences in investment choices based on income and education levels:
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- Higher-income households ($100K+ annually) were more likely to prefer stocks (41%) than lower-income households earning under $50K (14%).
- Lower-income households were twice as likely to prefer cash investments (28%) compared to higher earners (13%).
- Stock market preference increased with education level:College graduates – 38% prefer stocksSome college education – 27% prefer stocksHigh school degree or less – 17% prefer stocks
- College graduates – 38% prefer stocks
- Some college education – 27% prefer stocks
- High school degree or less – 17% prefer stocks
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What this means for investors
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What’s next:
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Experts say the survey reflects a growing confidence in the stock market, which delivered more than 20% returns in both 2023 and 2024. However, volatility remains a major concern, and many Americans still prefer real estate, cash, or other alternatives.
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“What is surprising is the strong preference for cash among so many long-term investors,” said Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate’s chief financial analyst. “While cash is entirely appropriate for short-term horizons, it is the worst choice over time horizons of a decade or more as inflation chews up much or all of an investor’s return.”
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As investment preferences evolve, the stock market’s lead could continue to grow—especially as mortgage rates and home prices remain high, making real estate less accessible.
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The Source: This report is based on findings from the Bankrate 2025 Long-Term Investment Survey, conducted Jan. 17-19, 2025, polling 1,033 American adults.
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