Survey Shows: Germans Prefer Investing in Bitcoin Over Gold or Real Estate

Bitcoin Establishes Itself as an Asset Class in Germany

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have firmly established themselves as an asset class in Germany. This is evidenced by a recent survey conducted by cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, obtained by BTC-ECHO ^[1]. According to the findings, 36 percent of Germans between the ages of 18 and 65 own or invest in digital assets ^[1]. This places crypto – led by Bitcoin – just slightly behind stocks and ETFs, but significantly ahead of gold or real estate ^[1].

Approximately 31 percent of respondents indicated they actively invest in cryptocurrencies ^[1]. Stocks came in at 39 percent, ETFs at 33 percent ^[1]. Only 22 and 18 percent of participants invested their money in gold and real estate, respectively ^[1]. For a market long considered purely speculative, this represents a clear signal: Bitcoin appears to have arrived in the German investment mix.

Broad Interest, Low Rejection

According to the survey, interest in Bitcoin extends far beyond active investors. Overall, approximately 80 percent of Germans engage with cryptocurrencies, whether through past investments or concrete interest ^[1]. Fundamental rejection is rare: only a small portion of respondents (10 percent) indicate they have no trust in digital assets ^[1].

Instead, nuanced assessments dominate. Many consider Bitcoin useful but risky, or forward-thinking yet still too complex (59 percent in total) ^[1]. The greatest barrier is thus less skepticism than lack of guidance. For nearly a quarter of respondents, cryptocurrencies are simply too complex ^[1].

Strategy Shift: From Short-Term to Long-Term

The survey also reveals significant changes in investment behavior. While many investors initially entered with hopes of quick profits, this approach is losing significance ^[1]. Three-quarters of crypto investors now pursue a medium- to long-term strategy, with only 18 percent primarily focused on short-term returns ^[1].

Bitcoin is increasingly understood as a strategic wealth component. 44 percent already view cryptocurrencies as part of their future wealth, while 40 percent plan to incorporate Bitcoin into their retirement planning ^[1]. The inflation argument is particularly strong: 70 percent regard Bitcoin as protection against currency devaluation ^[1].

Bitcoin Gains Relevance in Daily Life

At the same time, Bitcoin is gaining importance in everyday life. Every second crypto investor has already made payments with digital currencies, and another 38 percent can envision doing so in the future ^[1]. Approximately two-thirds would even accept a portion of their salary in Bitcoin or crypto ^[1].

However, convenience continues to dominate custody practices. The majority use exchanges or software wallets, while hardware wallets are barely adopted ^[1]. This points to an ongoing need for education – particularly regarding self-custody and security ^[1].

Regulation Strengthens Confidence

Despite known risks such as volatility, fraud, or platform security, German Bitcoin investors appear comparatively composed. In the event of an assumed 50 percent price decline, over 90 percent would hold their positions or even buy more ^[1].

A key driver of this confidence is regulation. 70 percent of respondents indicate that EU regulations such as MiCA have strengthened their confidence in Bitcoin ^[1]. More than half would be more likely to invest if banks offered regulated crypto products ^[1]. For many investors, it's clear: the more deeply Bitcoin is embedded in existing financial structures, the greater the willingness to invest ^[1].

Bitcoin has entered the mainstream in Germany – not as a short-term hype, but as a serious component of wealth planning ^[1]. Clear rules, comprehensible offerings, and trust remain decisive for further growth ^[1].