Cryptocurrency regret has become a significant financial emotion for many young Australians, with over 40% of Gen Z and Millennials now lamenting their decision not to invest in digital currencies a decade ago. According to a comprehensive YouGov study surveying 3,009 people, almost half of Australians under 35 regret missing what they now see as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Indeed, this cryptocurrency regret is understandable when we consider the staggering numbers: Bitcoin has gained an astonishing 23,019% since 2015, climbing from between $172 and $465 to over $107,505 today.
The widespread feeling of missed opportunity isn’t limited to cryptocurrency alone, however. Overall, 80% of Australians under 50 reported regretting various investment choices made over the past decade. Notably, young investors in Australia have begun to shift their strategies, with Gen Z specifically reporting impressive results – an average profit of $9,958 among the 82% of investors who made gains. Consequently, we’re seeing a transformation in how younger generations approach wealth-building, with cryptocurrency increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to traditional investment paths.
Survey Reveals 40% of Young Australians Regret Missing Crypto Boom
A comprehensive national survey reveals the full extent of cryptocurrency regret among Australia’s younger population. The YouGov study, commissioned by Australian cryptocurrency exchange Swyftx, found that more than 40% of Gen Z and Millennials consider not investing in cryptocurrency a decade ago as one of their biggest financial regrets. This extensive survey, which polled 3,009 Australians, stands as the most significant cryptocurrency study ever conducted in Australia.
Study Show Widespread Cryptocurrency Regret
The research paints a clear picture of widespread investment regret, with almost half of Australians under 35 lamenting their decision to miss the cryptocurrency boom. This sentiment exists despite a growing engagement with digital currencies, as approximately 25% of all Australians currently hold or have previously held cryptocurrency. The Swyftx exchange, which now serves 350,000 customers, commissioned the study to gain insight into changing attitudes toward digital assets.
Bitcoin’s 23,000% Rise
The profound sense of missed opportunity becomes understandable when examining Bitcoin’s remarkable price journey. In 2015, Bitcoin traded between AUD 262.99 and AUD 710.98 during the latter stages of a bear market. Fast forward to the present day, and the cryptocurrency has achieved a staggering 23,019% growth, with recent trading prices reaching AUD 164,374.09. The total market capitalisation of all cryptocurrencies has likewise expanded dramatically, rising from AUD 559.61 billion in August 2020 to AUD 2.91 trillion by August 2021.
Regrets Over Property and Tech Stocks
While cryptocurrency tops the list of investment regrets for young investors in Australia, it’s not alone. Following closely behind are regrets about not purchasing property and missing opportunities to invest in major technology companies such as Apple and Amazon. These feelings reflect a broader trend of investment hesitation, with a remarkable 80% of Australians under 50 admitting they regret various investment decisions made over the previous decade. Additionally, many experienced investors are now “buying the dip” following market corrections, with expectations that Bitcoin could potentially reach the AUD 152,900 price point.
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Housing Crisis Drives Interest in Crypto Among Gen Z
The soaring housing market in Australia has emerged as a primary driver behind Gen Z’s increasing interest in cryptocurrency investments. With traditional property ownership becoming increasingly unattainable, many young Australians view digital assets as an alternative means of achieving financial security and wealth creation.
Australias Unaffordable Housing Market
Australia has earned a notorious reputation as one of the least affordable housing markets globally. Home prices across the country now average nearly 10 times the typical household income. In Sydney, the situation is even more dire, with homes costing nearly 14 times the median income, making it the second most unaffordable market worldwide, surpassed only by Hong Kong. The Gold Coast has emerged as particularly problematic, with median house prices now reaching AUD 2.02 million, outstripping all other regional markets in Australia.
A sobering analysis by Finder.com.au reveals that Australians currently need to earn approximately AUD 305,798.05 annually to afford a typical house in capital cities without experiencing mortgage stress. As Graham Cooke from Finder.com.au notes, it is a “sobering reality” that even a six-figure income no longer guarantees comfortable mortgage servicing in many suburbs.
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Cryptocurrency as a Potential Path to Homeownership
For many Gen Z investors, cryptocurrency represents hope amid housing despair. A YouGov survey found that 64% of respondents felt they could afford to invest in crypto, compared to merely 22% who viewed real estate as accessible. This stark contrast highlights why digital assets have become increasingly attractive as an alternative wealth-building strategy.
Younger Generations Locked Out of Traditional Wealth-Building
The financial reality for younger generations stands in stark contrast to that of their predecessors. Essentially, many young Australians now believe that inheritance may represent their only path to home ownership. Currently, in the United States, people over 60 control more than half of the entire real estate market, whereas those born after 1980 own just 12%.
Jason Titman, Swyftx CEO, observed: “There is a feeling among Gen Z investors that if you want to get on the property ladder, you need a level of exposure to more volatile assets”. Furthermore, among the 82% of young investors in Australia who reported making money from cryptocurrency trading in the past year, the average profit approached AUD 15,289.90—equivalent to six and a half weeks of the average Gen Z annual salary.
Young Investors in Australia Shift from Stocks to Crypto
Investment preferences are rapidly changing for Australia’s young population, with traditional equity markets increasingly competing with cryptocurrency for attention. Recent data shows a remarkable shift in asset allocation among younger demographics.
Crytpo vs Stock Investment
The difference between millennials planning to buy stocks versus those intending to purchase cryptocurrency has shrunk dramatically, decreasing from 12 percentage points in 2022 to merely five percentage points today. Currently, 31% of young Australian investors in Australia own cryptocurrency, with Gen Z investors allocating 33% of their portfolios to ETFs and 31% to digital currencies—proportions higher than any other demographic.
Swyftx CEO Sees Investment Parity in Two Years
Jason Titman, Swyftx CEO, notes that data clearly indicates younger retail investors will soon be equally likely to purchase Bitcoin as they are to buy standard shares. “If current trends continue, crypto will flip equities as the preferred investment for Gen Zs and Millennials in a couple of years,” Titman states. This prediction aligns with trading data showing Gen Z and Millennials already account for 67% of all orders on the Swyftx platform.
Young Investors Favor High-Beta Assets
Underlying this shift is a strategic approach to wealth creation. “There is a feeling among Gen Zs and Millennials that if you want to get on the property ladder, you need a level of exposure to high beta assets as part of a diversified portfolio,” explains Titman. Nevertheless, although younger generations dominate in transaction numbers, they account for only about 50% of the total trading volume.
Regulation and Income Potential Shape Future Crypto Adoption
Regulatory uncertainty currently stands as the primary barrier to widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies in Australia. A recent study reveals that one in three Australians would be more likely to invest in digital assets if proper regulations were in place.
Calls for Regulatory clarity to Unlock Mass Adoption
More than one million Australians—representing over 5% of the population—are deliberately holding off on crypto investments solely due to the unclear regulatory landscape. Swyftx, Australia’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, estimates that between 2 and 6 million additional Australians may enter the market once clear guidelines are established. Yet nearly 60% of Australians report they don’t trust cryptocurrencies, an increase from 57% last year.
Gen Z Investors See Top Crypto Gains
Among young investors, Gen Z has emerged as the most successful demographic in the cryptocurrency space. Approximately 82% of Gen Z traders reported earning profits over the past year, with average gains reaching AUD 15,225.68. This impressive figure represents about six and a half weeks of the average Gen Z annual salary.
Crypto Helps Offset Financial Strain
Many young Australians have turned to cryptocurrency as a supplementary source of income. The age group between 15 and 29 years old not only reports the highest average profits but also actively uses these earnings to bolster their financial situation amid economic challenges. For some, these additional funds represent a crucial step toward achieving larger financial goals, such as homeownership.
Expert Quotes on Long-term Investing
Industry specialists note that younger investors approach cryptocurrency differently from older demographics. “Our Gen Z clients have longer investment horizons and anecdotally we know that they’re not overly concerned about the annualised volatility of Bitcoin and other crypto assets,” explains one expert. Jason Titman, Swyftx CEO, adds that once Australia finalises its regulatory framework, “the narrative will shift, and the data is very clear: millions more Australians will invest in crypto when the asset class is regulated”.
Conclusion – Young Investors Cryptocurrency Regret
Australia’s cryptocurrency landscape reveals a generational shift in investment strategies, primarily driven by economic necessity. Young Australians face significant financial regret, with Bitcoin’s 23,019% rise since 2015 representing both missed opportunities and future potential. Housing affordability continues to deteriorate nationwide, consequently pushing Gen Z toward alternative wealth-building methods. Many young people view cryptocurrency as their only realistic path toward property ownership.
The financial trajectory appears clear. Younger generations will likely achieve investment parity between stocks and cryptocurrency within two years if current trends continue. Housing market exclusion, coupled with impressive returns in the crypto market, establishes digital assets as an increasingly legitimate alternative to traditional wealth-building pathways. Undoubtedly, cryptocurrency now represents more than speculative interest – it embodies financial hope for a generation otherwise locked out of conventional prosperity routes.
Are cryptocurrencies taxed in Australia?
Yes, cryptocurrencies are subject to taxation in Australia. The Australian Taxation Office treats crypto assets as property for tax purposes, not as a form of money. The tax treatment depends on how you acquire, hold, and dispose of the asset. It’s advisable to consult with a tax professional for specific guidance.
Why are young Australians turning to cryptocurrency investments?
Many young Australians are investing in cryptocurrencies due to the unaffordable housing market and the potential for high returns. With average home prices nearly 10 times the typical household income, cryptocurrencies are seen as an alternative path to wealth creation and potentially home ownership.
What percentage of young Australians have profited from cryptocurrency trading?
According to recent data, approximately 82% of Gen Z traders in Australia reported earning profits from cryptocurrency trading over the past year. The average profit among these successful traders was approximately AUD 15,225.68, equivalent to about six and a half weeks of the average Gen Z annual salary.