A new study by Charles Schwab is receiving a lot of attention from both crypto and the financial world.
The latest findings show that interest in crypto ETFs is growing rapidly and is now on par with traditional options such as bonds. This is a clear sign that crypto is becoming more widely accepted and that the divide between crypto and trad-fi is slowly disappearing.
Crypto ETF interest rates match the bond market
According to a report from Charles SchwabNearly half of ETF investors, about 45%, say they plan to buy a crypto ETF in the future. This puts crypto alongside bonds as one of the top places people want to invest.
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas notes that this was an interesting development, as crypto currently only makes up about 1% of total ETF assets under management, while bonds are far ahead at 17%.
What do investors prefer?
Investor preferences vary by asset class. In the case of crypto ETFs, 34% prefer index exposure, while 30% prefer active management.
Interest in spot crypto ETFs is also high, with 34% of ETF investors planning to invest in them in the next year. This shows that the demand for direct exposure to cryptocurrencies continues to grow.
Millennials are the driving force behind the increase in crypto ETF adoption. About 57% of them plan to invest in crypto through ETFs, compared to 41% of Gen X investors and just 15% of baby boomers.
US stocks continue to dominate
While crypto ETFs are gaining popularity, US stocks remain the top choice for investors, with 52% planning to increase their exposure through ETFs. Emerging markets and real assets also attract interest at around 40%, while international developed markets and alternatives remain below 30%.
Low costs and easy access were the main reasons why investors chose ETF. Half of them also believe that ETF allows them to explore niche strategies and gain exposure to different asset classes that are not typically available.
ETF adoption is spreading rapidly
2,000 participants took part in the study, half of whom were ETF investors. Even non-ETF investors showed strong interest in ETFs.
Balchunas notes that overall the entire survey was “super optimistic” and that almost everyone plans to increase its use.
Crypto ETFs Exceed Expectations
The crypto ETFs have come a long way exceeded expectations. Since their launch in January 2024, spot Bitcoin ETFs surpassed $100 billion in assets within a year, which took gold ETFs eight years. BlackRock’s IBIT led the way, reaching $50 billion in its first year, making it one of the most successful ETF launches ever. The spot Bitcoin ETFs surpassed $150 billion in assets in the third quarter of 2025.
Ethereum ETFs have been slower to take off but are gaining momentum, while altcoin ETFs are also gradually gaining their place in the market.
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