Written by Bryan Lutz, Editor at Dollarcollapse.com:
Could Gen Z revive gold’s allure in the digital age? While this might seem counterintuitive for a generation raised on smartphones and digital everything, Gen Z’s deep dive into Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is actually teaching them the fundamentals of money—knowledge that will inevitably lead them to appreciate gold’s enduring value as a store of wealth.
Gen Z has grown up in a unique financial landscape. They’re tech-savvy, deeply skeptical of traditional systems, and naturally drawn to decentralized assets like Bitcoin. But their journey from crypto curiosity to gold enthusiasm isn’t as surprising as it might seem. Understanding cryptocurrency requires grasping the same monetary principles that have made gold valuable for millennia. As Gen Z learns a few hard lessons through their crypto investments, they’re being primed to become the next generation of gold bugs.
Gen Z’s Crypto Obsession and the Quest to Understand Money
Gen Z’s engagement with cryptocurrencies is unprecedented. A 2023 Pew Research survey found that approximately 40% of Gen Z Americans have invested in crypto [1], making them the most crypto-active generation in history. This isn’t just about chasing quick profits—it reflects their fundamental distrust of fiat monetary systems, fueled by inflation concerns during the 2022-2025 period and exposure to centralized banking failures.
Platforms like Coinbase and Binance have become Gen Z’s gateway to exploring digital assets, but something deeper happens in this process. Buying Bitcoin requires understanding concepts like scarcity, decentralization, and inflation hedging. Crypto trading exposes young investors to monetary history, teaching them about fiat currency devaluation and central bank policies in ways traditional finance education never could.
The results have been coming in over the past few years.
Reuters reports:
Golden rule: Why younger investors are drawn to gold
“What asset class do millennials and Gen Z investors both want to own?Here is an answer you may not have guessed: Gold.
Among wealthy investors under the age of 43, 45% own gold as a physical asset, and another 45% are interested in holding it, according to a recent study by Bank of America Private Bank.Those are far higher percentages than other age groups.Usually this demographic is not interested in assets like gold, cash or Treasuries, because they are considered to be “boring,” says Liz Young Thomas, head of investment strategy for digital financial services firm SoFi.“As Treasury yields rise, cash is paying a high interest rate, and gold is rising along with it. We are seeing returns we normally don’t see in such a short period of time,” Thomas says. “Naturally, when assets have strong returns, younger audiences start to perk up.”This confirms another study by money managers State Street, which finds that millennials have the highest allocation to gold in their portfolios, at 17%, far outpacing both boomers and Gen X at 10%.”
The Parallel Between Bitcoin and Gold
Here are the similarities between Bitcoin and gold:
- Both assets are scarce—gold through geological rarity, Bitcoin through its 21 million coin cap.
- Both are decentralized, existing outside government control. Both serve as hedges against inflation and currency debasement.
- Gold boasts 5,000 years of history as a store of value, while Bitcoin offers digital scarcity for the internet age.
- Gold’s tangibility appeals to those seeking physical security, while Bitcoin’s digital nature attracts tech-native investors.
For Gen Z, this isn’t an either-or proposition—it’s a complementary relationship.
Gen Z’s Financial Mindset Aligns with Gold
Gen Z’s mindset makes them natural candidates for gold investment.
They are deeply skeptical of institutions. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer found that 60% of Gen Z believe financial systems are rigged against them.
They prioritize financial independence even above traditional career paths. A 2025 Deloitte survey revealed that 70% of Gen Z aims to retire early, focusing on long-term wealth building rather than conventional employment security. Gold’s role as a long-term store of value aligns naturally with these goals, offering stability that volatile stocks and crypto cannot match.
Gold fits Gen Z’s core values:
- independence from traditional systems
- stability in uncertain times
- and protection against systemic risks.
The Educational Bridge: From Crypto to Gold
Cryptocurrency serves as an educational gateway to gold investment. Learning about blockchain technology and monetary policy through crypto naturally exposes Gen Z to gold’s historical role, particularly during the gold standard era.
Here’s how one account holder on X explains his experience:
Gen Z's Gold! Exploring Youth & Long-Term Value in Bitcoin vs. Silver! What do you think? #gold #silver #coins #InternationalStacker #SilverStacking #PreciousMetals #GoldAndSilver #Crypto #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/SPgFgaEE1v
— International Stacker (@IntlStacker) June 7, 2025
This is the educational path…
Step 1: Crypto’s complexity requires understanding monetary fundamentals.
Step 2: These same principles make gold’s value proposition obvious.
Step 3: Community discussions and accessible investment platforms provide the practical knowledge needed to act on this understanding.
Gen Z’s Golden Future
Gen Z’s journey into is teaching them about money in ways previous generations never experienced. This education naturally leads to gold as a logical extension of their financial philosophy. They’re not abandoning innovation for tradition—they’re blending crypto’s cutting-edge potential with gold’s timeless stability.
As much as Millenials and Gen Zers are buying Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, they’re also buying gold.
Scottsdale Bullion and Coin reports:
Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Buying Gold in Record Numbers
Gen Z: Between 36% and 56% say they plan to invest in gold soon. One major gold trading platform reported that 1 in 6 new accounts last year were opened by Gen Z investors (ages 17–27), up from just 12.8% a decade ago. Additionally, 15% of Gen Z plan to purchase physical gold bars, coins, or ingots within the next year.
Millennials: Millennials are taking a proactive approach to gold investing. A striking 93% of wealthy Millennials plan to increase their allocation to alternative assets, including gold. And more than 90% have already discussed gold with a financial advisor, highlighting a growing emphasis on diversification and long-term security.
Older Generations: Investors older than 44 allocate just 5% of their portfolios to alternative assets like gold, far below the 17% allocation seen in younger generations. Only 28% of older investors believe traditional stocks and bonds can no longer deliver above-average returns, suggesting less urgency to diversify.
Sources
Pew Research Center. (2023). “Cryptocurrency and the Future of Money.” https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/03/16/cryptocurrency-and-the-future-of-money/
Social Media Trends Analysis. (2024). “Gen Z Influencers Discuss Gold and Bitcoin Portfolio Strategies.” https://socialmediatoday.com/news/gen-z-investment-trends-2024
Edelman Trust Barometer. (2024). “Gen Z Trust in Financial Systems.” https://www.edelman.com/trust/2024-trust-barometer
Deloitte. (2025). “Gen Z Financial Independence Survey.” https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/gen-z-financial-goals.html
2 thoughts on "Why Gen Z Crypto Buyers Are Becoming Gold Bugs"
Nobody ever seems to ask a gen z’er what they would do if there was a sustained power outage. All their “assets” would be unavailable for maybe up to 4 or 5 days. What would they be thinking about bitcoin then? Whereas physical gold would still be in their hands. Why is everyone avoiding asking the question of an unreliable power supply? 🤷🏻♂️
Hey Mitch,
Their money will still be there when the power goes out, but that’s one of the reasons why many are diversifying into precious metals too.