Crypto adoption could accelerate over the coming decades as wealth shifts toward younger, more digitally native investors, according to an executive at Galaxy Digital.
Speaking on the Milk Road show, Zac Prince, head of Galaxy Digital’s banking venture Galaxy One, said the gradual transfer of wealth from older generations to younger heirs could play a pivotal role in shaping future investment trends.
He argued that this demographic shift may naturally favor cryptocurrencies and other digital assets as younger investors inherit and redeploy capital.
Prince pointed to what economists often call the “great wealth transfer,” referring to the trillions of dollars expected to move from baby boomers to millennials and Generation Z over the next several decades.
While older generations have historically shown skepticism toward crypto, younger cohorts tend to be more comfortable with technology-driven financial products, including digital assets, decentralized finance, and tokenized investments.
“Younger investors grew up with the internet, smartphones, and digital payments,” Prince said during the discussion. “It’s not surprising that they are more open to assets that live natively online.”
Industry data supports this view. Surveys consistently show that millennials and Gen Z investors are far more likely to own cryptocurrencies compared with older age groups.
Many see digital assets not only as speculative investments but also as long-term alternatives to traditional financial instruments, particularly amid concerns about inflation, public debt, and monetary policy.
Prince emphasized that this generational change will not happen overnight. Older investors still control the majority of global wealth, meaning crypto adoption may continue to grow gradually rather than explosively. However, as capital changes hands, investment preferences are likely to evolve alongside it.
He also noted that broader infrastructure improvements, such as regulated crypto products, clearer legislation, and easier on-ramps, will be critical in converting generational interest into sustained adoption.Â
Institutional-grade custody, compliance frameworks, and banking services could help bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets.
While market cycles will continue to influence short-term sentiment, Prince suggested that demographic forces represent a powerful long-term tailwind. As younger investors gain greater financial influence, crypto could move closer to mainstream acceptance, transforming from a niche asset class into a core component of global portfolios.