Bitget Survey: 20% of Gen Z, Alpha Open to Crypto Pensions

A new survey conducted by Bitget Research shows a shift in how younger generations envision their retirement.

20% of Gen Z (11-27 years old) and Alpha (10 years old and younger) respondents expressed openness to receiving their pensions in cryptocurrencies, a stark contrast to the traditional pension models favored by older generations.

This finding suggests a growing interest in exploring alternative retirement savings options among younger people, reflecting their familiarity and comfort with digital assets and a desire for potentially higher returns, according to Bitget.

Young People Distrust Traditional Pensions

Bitget surveyed nearly 17,000 Gen Z and Alpha individuals.

A significant 78% of these younger respondents expressed more confidence in alternative methods of retirement savings compared to traditional pension funds. These alternatives include cryptocurrencies, real estate, and private pension plans.

This shift can be attributed to several factors, including a perceived lack of transparency within traditional pension systems. Almost 73% of respondents admitted to not understanding where or how their pension funds are actually invested, fueling a sense of uncertainty and distrust.

“This is a wake-up call for the financial industry,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, adding:

“Younger generations are no longer content with rigid, traditional pension systems. They are seeking innovative approaches that offer more control, flexibility, and transparency.”

Young People Lack Pension Knowledge

Furthermore, the study highlighted a significant knowledge gap regarding pension systems in general.

Over 20% of respondents lacked even a basic understanding of pensions, suggesting a critical need for improved financial education among younger generations. This lack of awareness hinders meaningful engagement with retirement planning and reinforces the appeal of alternative, more easily understood options like cryptocurrencies, according to the report.

“Younger generations are changing the way we think about money,” added Chen. “The rise of crypto pensions is not a passing trend – it is part of a larger financial revolution. The industry must act to remain relevant.”

The survey results also show that almost 87% of younger respondents are considering using cryptocurrencies as a savings or investment tool to achieve long-term goals. Among them, around 41% expressed “strong interest,” saying that they are actively exploring cryptocurrency options for future investments.

A “Hybrid Approach” Needed

While the potential of cryptocurrencies in retirement planning is significant, the study also acknowledges the challenges.

Volatility remains a significant concern for many, with the cryptocurrency market experiencing substantial price fluctuations.

Additionally, the regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies is still evolving, creating uncertainty for both investors and regulators.

Despite these challenges, the study shows the growing influence of cryptocurrencies on the financial future of younger generations.

As Gen Z and Alpha enter the workforce and accumulate wealth, their demand for innovative and transparent financial solutions will continue to reshape the industry. The future of retirement may involve a “hybrid approach,” the report concludes, combining elements of traditional pension systems with the innovative potential of blockchain technology.

State Pension Funds Embrace Crypto

In 2024, many local and federal governments started increasingly exploring integrating cryptocurrencies into their pension funds.

In the UK, Legal & General, a pension and investment firm with $1.5 trillion in assets under management, announced in October that it would consider offering tokenized funds.

In August 2024, South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS), the third-largest public pension fund in the world, reported a $34 million exposure to MicroStrategy, a company renowned for its substantial Bitcoin investments.

In the United States, the State of Michigan Retirement System showed a proactive approach by holding approximately $18 million in shares of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) exchange-traded products (ETPs), as of Sep. 30.