CoinShares says wealthy investors want crypto advice — but don’t trust financial advisors to give it

The latest investor sentiment study from crypto asset manager CoinShares revealed a significant credibility gap facing financial advisors: while most wealthy investors seek expert guidance on digital assets, many doubt their advisors are up to the task.

CoinShares' survey of 500 investors — including high- and sub-high-net-worth individuals — found that 82% are more likely to work with a financial advisor who offers crypto investment guidance. However, 29% said a lack of personal experience or failure to explain risks as major red flags, highlighting doubts about advisors' readiness to meet rising demand.

"Digital asset adoption is advancing rapidly among investors who are self-educated and actively involved — but that doesn't mean they want to go it alone," CoinShares CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti said. "They're looking for advisors who can serve as strategic partners, not product pushers. There is a significant opportunity for advisors who invest in their own credibility to differentiate themselves in a competitive market."

The study also demonstrated growing investor confidence in crypto, with 89% of current holders — including high-net-worth individuals with over $1 million in investible assets — planning to boost their exposure in 2025. Over half actively monitor or trade crypto daily, suggesting the asset class is now a core part of their wealth strategy, CoinShares said. Yet trust in advisors hinges on expertise: 88% of crypto investors already work with an advisor, 78% of non-crypto investors would consider doing so if credible digital asset support were offered, 55% said it's "extremely important" for advisors to have crypto knowledge, and 51% said they would specifically seek out advisors who provide crypto education, according to the firm.

Sub-high-net-worth investors are especially eager to grow their crypto exposure, viewing it as a path to wealth mobility, yet many rely on public tools to fill the knowledge gap, CoinShares noted. Across the board, investors expect more than basic advice — they value advisors who can educate, manage risk, and provide access to secure investment options, like ETFs and trusts. In fact, regulated products are now the preferred gateway, with 28% of wealthy investors using them compared to 21% who use centralized exchanges, according to the survey.

Do you understand this space as well as I do?

"As the digital asset landscape matures, the advisor-client relationship will be defined by credibility," Mognetti added. "Investors aren't just asking 'what should I buy?' They're asking, 'Do you understand this space as well as I do?'"

The research expands on CoinShares' February study of U.S. financial advisors, comparing investor and advisor perspectives on digital asset investing. While the studies show a shared interest in crypto, differences around trust, risk, and communication remain, the firm said.