When it comes to investments, Europe has never been known for hasty enthusiasm. Shares? Gladly solid, preferably with dividend. Property? Reliable, with substance. But in the midst of all the usual stability, a phenomenon has been making its way for several years, which has long been a playground for nerds, idealists and risk fans: cryptocurrencies. And while some are still looking at Bitcoin & Co. with an open eyebrow, others have long been investing in digital assets, or at least plan to do it.
From the speculation object to strategic investment?
Krypto was the wild west of the financial world for a long time. Characterized by wild course fluctuations, media hype and the myth of sudden wealth overnight. But it is precisely this myth that seems to fade. According to a current study, 36 percent of the respondents now consider their crypto investments as a long-term facility.
The idea behind it is clear: Many do not hope for quick exit, but strive for financial independence. Some see digital inflation protection in Bitcoin, after all, the crowd is limited and therefore, unlike the euro or dollar, is not increased as desired. Others consider cryptocurrencies as a strategic addition to existing portfolios, in addition to shares, ETFs or precious metals.
Interesting: Almost a third of the investors: Inside, diversification mentions as a specific goal. Who today Buy cryptocurrency So, so this is increasingly no longer done out of a thirst for adventure, but with a conscious scattering of the assets.
Why cryptocurrencies are no longer a niche phenomenon for many
A current Bitpanda study delivers answers that make you take notice: 42 percent of Europeans have already invested in cryptocurrencies. This is no longer a test run, it is mass movement. The differences between the countries are particularly striking.
While Italy is at the top with 56 percent and Poland is 50 percent close behind, France (31 percent) and Germany (34 percent) are somewhat more reserved. Austria is skeptical in between with 37 percent, but open.
This is not just about technology -savvy men in the twenties. Millennials and Generation Z are driving the trend, but interest is also growing in other age groups.
Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana in focus
What is in the portfolios of the investors are very different from generation, risk of risk and technological interest. Unsurprisingly, Bitcoin is still in 1st place, as the oldest and best -known cryptocurrency, it remains the entry point for many. Ethereum follows close behind and scores with its ability to carry out so -called smart contracts, i.e. programmable contracts that are used in numerous decentralized applications.
But it does not stay with these two: 40 percent of the respondents in the Bitpanda study also keep old coins beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Particularly popular: Solana, Cardano or Polygon. These coins are not only technologically exciting, but also offer lower entry prices and sometimes better scalability.
Especially among younger investors there is a clear willingnessto look outside the box. If you get newly introduced, you often look for projects with a real use case. So practical applicability. Environmental factors are also increasingly playing a role here. Coins with energy-efficient consensus procedures such as Proof of Stake are very popular with ESG-oriented investors.
Trust grows, but risks remain
Despite all the euphoria, or maybe because of her, the need for security remains high. According to the study, 63 percent of the respondents rate cryptocurrencies as sustainable, but at least half also indicates that they have concerns about security.
The greatest concerns are volatile courses, possible fraud cases, technical incomprehension. Blockchain technology in itself guarantees high fake security, but access to crypto markets is usually accessed by central platforms. In the worst case, anyone who clicks wrong here ends up with a scam or loses their coins due to operating errors.
In addition, many users do not know exactly how to safely keep their assets. Terms such as cold wallet, seed phrase or 2-factor authentication have a deterrent effect, especially for beginners. Trust therefore arises primarily through providers that combine simple operation with transparent education and regulatory protection.
What Europe’s legislator is planning
While the legal situation around cryptocurrencies in the past corresponded more to a fog than a standard, the EU now brings order into play. With the regulation “Markets in Crypto-Assets” (Mica), Brussels created a framework in 2023 that regulates providers throughout the Union. The aim is to strengthen consumer protection, contain money laundering and set up clear rules of the game.
The numbers show that this is well received by humans: only 12 percent of the respondents in principle reject crypto. The rest is either positive about the development or is waiting for reliable conditions to get in.
Regulation is therefore not seen as an obstacle, but as a necessary step towards maturity. Platforms based in Europe benefit from this. Because those who are licensed, deliver transparency and offer understandable products get what weighs the hardest in the financial world: trust.
From the niche to the platform economy
Bitpanda is no longer a start-up for digital early adopters, but an important player in the European Fintech landscape. With over 2,500 tradable assets, including cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs and even precious metals, the platform positions itself as a universal market square for modern investments.
According to the study, 65 percent of investors prefer providers who are regulated and user -friendly. This is exactly where Bitpanda comes in. Thanks to partnerships with banks and B2B cooperation, Krypto is no longer only offered by the way, but is specifically integrated into existing financial structures.
Technically, this usually runs through white label solutions, API connections or institutional custody systems. Only one thing remains visible to the end user: access becomes easier, trust greater and the entry hurdle is smaller.
Lowered in the long term or at short notice?
The numbers show that a third of the respondents plan to increase their own investment in the next twelve months. Especially in countries such as Italy or Spain, it turns out that over 40 percent have been holding their crypto stocks for more than a year. This indicates a fundamental change, away from the wild gaming, towards strategic planning.
Of course, they still exist, the fast movements, the fear of missing something, the telegram groups with secret “moon coins”. But the picture changes. Anyone who invests in cryptocurrencies today is increasingly doing this with clear goals, better information basis and realistic expectations.
The discourse in the media, podcasts and specialist portals also helps. The crypto market is no longer just a playground, but a serious asset class of society. And if you move in it, you have to be neither a prophet nor programmer, but attentive, informed and a bit ready to think along.
The Bitpanda study makes it clear how deep cryptocurrencies are already anchored in the European investment landscape. They came to stay. Not as a replacement, but as a supplement. And maybe this is exactly the real revolution: not in the technology itself, but in the way people start to think again.
08.08.2025
