Cryptocurrency is emerging as a central investment choice for Australians building diversified and multi-asset portfolios, according to new research into national investment trends.
The study found that one in four Australians now hold crypto assets, with a similar proportion considering entering the market.
Younger investor momentum
Investors aged 18 to 34 are leading crypto adoption, with 32% holding digital assets-just below the 36% holding equities. This cohort is now integrating crypto as a core component in wealth-building strategies alongside more traditional securities.
Motivations shifting
Diversification and aspirations for long-term wealth creation were cited as the primary reasons for investing in crypto, favoured by 40% and 38% of respondents respectively. Outcomes such as generating passive income and protecting against inflation were also frequently mentioned. The three main long-term goals for these investors included saving for retirement, ensuring future financial security, and acquiring passive income streams.
Financial acumen
The research highlighted a higher level of financial literacy among crypto holders compared to non-investors. Fifty-seven percent of crypto investors described themselves as extremely or very financially literate, while only 27% of non-holders said the same. This was reflected in their broader investment activity across traditional asset classes.
"2025 is proving to be a landmark year for crypto adoption. A quarter of Australians aged between 18-64 now hold crypto, and we expect more than 10,000 investors at the Australian Crypto Convention on the weekend. It is no longer a speculative, niche investment but an established growth asset class," said Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer, Binance.
"These investors aren't those looking 'to get rich quick'. Rather, the research found them to be extremely financially literate, with 57 percent describing themselves as extremely or very knowledgeable compared to just 27 percent of non-holders.
"Macro conditions have driven investors to look beyond traditional growth assets, like equities, to build long-term wealth. Investing in crypto is a nice complement to diversified portfolios. It employs the same fundamentals as equity investing - diversification, long-term mindset, risk-adjusted returns - with crypto investors now understanding it's time in the market, not timing the market," said Teng.
Broader asset exposure
Australians investing in cryptocurrencies are also more likely to hold a broader range of traditional assets. The data showed that crypto investors were more active in equities (59% vs 38%), ETFs and LICs (44% vs 23%), managed funds (33% vs 21%), property (26% vs 10%), bonds (17% vs 8%) and derivatives (13% vs 5%).
Twenty percent of crypto holders had self-managed super funds, and 41% self-managed their crypto investments.
"Approximately one in three Australians under 50 hold crypto. These are the investors who are looking to build wealth to meet their longer-term financial goals, like retirement, buying a home, or starting a family," said Matt Poblocki, General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Binance.
"As cost-of-living concerns continue to bite, Australians are seeking ways to grow their capital, while securing returns that outpace inflation over the long-term. Crypto has proven itself as a developed, growth asset class with an important role to play in a well-diversified, modern portfolio.
"The global regulatory reforms underway, especially in the US and Australia, have further bolstered confidence that crypto is here to stay, ensuring we strike the right balance between industry innovation and user protections," said Poblocki.
Preference for established assets
The research found that Australian investors are favouring established crypto networks for their portfolios. Bitcoin is held by 70% of crypto investors, followed by Ethereum at 42%, and other major tokens such as BNB, Solana, or Cardano at 25%. Only 20% hold memecoins, and 18% hold stablecoins, signalling a market increasingly focused on asset fundamentals.
According to recent trading data, Bitcoin regained its position as the top-traded asset on Binance Australia in October, followed by Ethereum, Solana and BNB.
"What stands out in the research is how normalised crypto has become in the investment conversation," said Poblocki.
