Wealthy US investors say they are more likely to hire financial advisers who provide crypto guidance, according to a June 2025 CoinShares survey of 500 individuals with at least $500,000 in investable assets.

A vast majority (88%) of investors already work with an adviser, and 58% rank advisers as their most trusted source for digital asset information., ahead of market analysis tools, podcasts, and peer networks.

Among those not yet in crypto, 78% of sub-high-net-worth and 93% of high-net-worth respondents said they would consult an adviser before making a purchase.

The survey also shows that 82% of all respondents would be “more inclined” to retain an adviser who offers crypto guidance, while 49% would actively seek one with demonstrable expertise.

What investors want

Respondents cite two primary roles for advisers: securing compliant investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or trusts and designing portfolio allocation and risk management strategies, each selected by 54% of participants.

Other valued services include custody recommendations (46%), tax and regulatory support (49%), and education on blockchain fundamentals (47%).

When asked about red flags, 29% point to advisers who lack personal crypto experience, and another 29% point to product recommendations delivered without a clear explanation of risks.

Personas shape advice demand

CoinShares segment investors into three groups: “crypto-curious” (21%), “cautiously confident” (38%), and “committed” (37%).

The crypto-curious lean on advisers for basic education and prefer passive products. At the same time, the cautiously confident seek familiar structures such as ETFs and stablecoins.

The committed want advanced strategies covering decentralized finance (DeFi), staking, and tax optimization.

Across all personas, 65% say they have delayed an allocation because reliable information was lacking, and only 6% feel fully informed about digital-asset investing.

Adviser’s outlook

The report highlighted that 91% of advisers surveyed in late 2024 remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s mainstream adoption, and 42% warn that late adopters will face higher risks.

These views mirror client sentiment, as 90% of current crypto holders plan to increase exposure in 2025, while 75% of non-holders either want to learn more or intend to invest soon.

The findings position digital asset competence as a decisive factor in adviser selection among affluent investors and outline specific service areas, such as compliant products, portfolio design, custody, and tax guidance, that drive that preference.

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Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart believes the next phase of adoption for crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will be driven by financial advisers, wirehouses, and brokers managing assets for high-net-worth individuals.

Speaking on the “Coin Stories” podcast, Seyffart outlined how these financial institutions, which oversee trillions of dollars in assets, could play a central role in expanding the market for Bitcoin ETFs.

He noted that Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs had an exceptionally strong first year in the market, surpassing many analysts’ expectations. While Bloomberg maintained a bullish outlook on the ETFs, he acknowledged that actual performance exceeded their forecasts. 

Seyffart said:

“There have been some outflows in recent weeks, but they have taken about, in a peak, just $40 billion since their launch, they have 110 billion-ish dollars in assets. IBIT is one of the most traded ETFs on a consistent regular basis, reached $50 billion in a hundred couple days, the previous record was over a thousand days. So, no matter how you slice it, they have broken every record that you can look at.”

Given this momentum, he suggested that gradually adopting Bitcoin ETFs as a portfolio allocation tool for high-net-worth clients could drive continued success.

Big players to enter

Despite big players such as BlackRock recommending a 1% to 2% BTC allocation in investment portfolios, Seyffart highlighted that “big wirehouses and huge banks” are not allowing investors to buy crypto ETFs. 

He added that wirehouses, financial advisers, and brokerage platforms control significant capital from ultra-wealthy investors, including billionaires. 

These entities influence asset allocation decisions across a broad spectrum of financial portfolios. Seyffart indicated that if these institutions begin incorporating Bitcoin ETFs as a satellite portion of their portfolios, such as 5%, it could lead to sustained growth in adoption.

In addition to institutional adoption, Seyffart noted the trend of corporations, states, and even nations adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets. This could contribute to Bitcoin’s legitimacy and stability as an asset class within traditional finance. 

However, he emphasized that increased acceptance among financial intermediaries will likely be the key driver of ETF growth.

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