ETF investors lack interest in crypto, report finds?

Of course, a lot has happened since the 600+ survey respondents shared their thoughts between Aug. 15 and Oct. 1

article-image

Siberian Art/Shutterstock and Adobe modified by Blockworks

share


This is a segment from the Forward Guidance newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe.


I was slightly perplexed by the findings of a new ETF survey that mentions crypto sentiment. Then I read the fine print.

Retail investors are least interested in crypto and ESG ETFs in the next six months, ETF.com’s 2024 global investor survey found. Crypto-related stats in the report, published today, include:

  • Between 70% and 80% of investors didn’t have any positions in leveraged, inverse, and cryptocurrency ETFs.
  • “Only” 10% of advisers increased exposure to crypto over the past six months.
  • Just 7.4% of investors ranked cryptocurrency as one of the top five sectors they want to invest in over the next six months.

Gavin Filmore, chief revenue officer at Tidal Financial Group, is quoted as calling that last finding “a shocker” — citing possible “crypto fatigue” among the “overexposed” younger generation.

Given bitcoin’s latest run, I found this surprising. But then it started to make sense as I scrolled down to the methodology. The more than 600 respondents shared their thoughts between Aug. 15 and Oct. 1.

Of course, a lot has happened since then. Donald Trump and a slew of crypto-friendly Congressional candidates notched wins last week and bitcoin just hit a new high at nearly $90,000. 

Then there’s the latest interest in US spot bitcoin ETFs, which tallied $1.1 billion of net inflows on their 10th monthiversary yesterday — making that $3.4 billion in the four trading days since the election). 

Loading Tweet..

Perhaps ironically, the survey is sponsored by Vanguard — an asset management giant that has said crypto doesn’t belong in “a well-balanced, long-term investment portfolio.”

I’m curious to see whether Vanguard’s thoughts about the asset class change in the coming months. And how the answers to similar survey questions shift once post-election sentiment is captured. 


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (11).png

Research

Union’s technical design brings measured improvements to crosschain interoperability. By combining a consensus-verified hub with novel constructs like state lenses and ZK proofs for client updates, Union achieves an interoperability protocol that is highly performant, trust-minimized, and scalable.

article-image

Fundstrat’s chief investment officer may be the apex bull

article-image

MetaMask now lets users create and restore wallets via social accounts

article-image

Filing seeks to expand regulated crypto exposure, with Coinbase Custody as fund custodian

article-image

Hyperliquid’s fundamentals continue to improve, yet its valuation remains discounted compared to other L1s

by Carlos /
article-image

A strategic VC move positions Polymarket for US return amid evolving regulatory clarity, according to Axios

article-image

Deal links Trump Media platforms with Crypto.com wallet and token rewards