Research: Cryptocurrencies Are The Leading Point of Entry for Retail Investors In Emerging Countries

The popular digital asset exchange Huobi Group has compiled a study exploring the investment profiles of cryptocurrency traders in emerging markets. It concluded that digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have become “the first point of entry to financial management for many individuals.”

The majority of the survey’s participants came from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The study concluded that most of them are relatively new to investing.

78% answered that their investment experience is less than a year, while only 17% said they had been actively trading or investing for five or more years.

“considering 73% of respondents were of prime working age (26-50 years old), age was not a major contributor to the low levels of prior investing experience.” According to the report.

Furthermore, most participants reaffirmed that cryptocurrencies are their preferable investment instruments with a sizeable difference compared to other markets. Equity trading is next with 30%, while other traditional products such as bonds, real estate, investment funds, and forex received less than a quarter of the answers.

Longer-Term Holders Stick With Bitcoin And Ethereum

The research revealed that most investors maintain short-term views on cryptocurrencies. 55% indicated that their horizon is less than a year. Only 13% aim for a more extended period (more than four years).

However, when it comes down to specific digital assets, the situation was somewhat different. Bitcoin and Ethereum investors appeared “much more likely to hold” their coins for at least three years.

Interestingly, while most retail investors had answered that their annual income is relatively modest, their investment allocations in cryptocurrencies seemed quite significant.

“A majority (54%) report having an annual income of $10,000 or lower, and very few (13%) earn more than $50,000 per annum. Nearly half (49%) of the respondents plan to invest between 10 – 30% of their annual income in digital assets, and almost 25% plans to allocate more than 30% of their income in crypto.”

Vice President of Global Business at Huobi Group, Ciara Sun, commented that these findings:

“aren’t surprising. They do solidify our belief that digital assets will continue playing a significant role in the future borderless economy and help drive global financial inclusion. As crypto becomes more accessible, it will become a gateway to other financial products and services, helping set a path to financial wellbeing.”