- 41% of respondents pointed to social media and online communities as a primary source of their crypto knowledge, while another 29% cited AI chatbots.
- Cryptocurrencies are primarily seen as a wealth creation tool, with 39% citing faster wealth creation as their main reason for investing and only 6% pointing to FOMO.
- 4 in 5 respondents link their appetite for investment risk to feeling financially behind what they expected.
According to data from CEX.IO, drawn from a sample of over 3 million users in over 150 countries, Generation Z is the fastest growing age group of active participants in the crypto markets. In 2025, unique users aged 18-25 who made any financial transaction on an exchange grew by 88% compared to 2024, while spot trading volume increased by 144% over the same period.
That growth raises an obvious question: As more young adults enter the cryptocurrency markets, where do they actually learn about them? To find out, CEX.IO surveyed 1,200 Gen Z American adults ages 18 to 27.
Generation Z still relies more on social media than AI for cryptocurrency advice
When asked where they primarily get crypto-specific information from, 41% of respondents pointed to social media and online communities, while another 29% cited AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude. Collectively, that means 7 in 10 Gen Z cryptocurrency investors rely primarily on artificial intelligence or social media when learning about digital assets.
The result broadly reflects the trends already identified in traditional finance. Wells Fargo’s 2026 Money Study Found Gen Z’s Use of AI for Financial Advice Is Underway approximately double the general population, in addition to a heavy dependence on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and online communities. Furthermore, a TD Bank survey found that adoption of AI for financial decisions is highest among Generation Z in 77%.
What stands out in crypto is that social media is still notably ahead of AI.
This may reflect the nature of the asset class itself. Unlike traditional investments, cryptocurrencies are still largely community-driven. New narratives, projects and trends often emerge first through online discussions and social platforms before appearing in traditional financial coverage. AI can increasingly help Gen Z interpret information, but communities are still where much of that information originates.
Generation Z perceives cryptocurrencies as a way to generate wealth faster
The survey suggests that Generation Z is not primarily turning to AI and social media to follow trends, but rather for educational purposes and as a way to improve their financial future.
When asked why they invest in cryptocurrency, the largest group (39%) said it offers a faster way to build wealth than traditional savings methods. Another 28% said cryptocurrencies are simply one part of a diversified investment portfolio.
In comparison, only 6% said their main reason for investing was because the people they followed online did so.
The result challenges one of the most common assumptions about young investors. While social media plays an important role in how Gen Z learns about cryptocurrencies, very few say that social influence itself is the main reason they invest. As a result, the channels may be social, but the motivation appears largely financial.
Feeling Financially Behind Drives Risk Taking
The survey also provides clues as to why wealth creation resonates so much with younger investors.
More than half of respondents (54%) said that feeling financially behind what they expected is one of the main reasons they take on greater investment risks, while another 27% said it is better to own cryptocurrencies than not and include them in a diversified portfolio.
This suggests that the majority of Gen Z cryptocurrency investors link their willingness to take risks, including exposure to cryptocurrencies, with concerns about their current financial situation.
The finding aligns closely with broader generational research showing that Generation Z is more likely than older age groups to feel financially behind and seek faster routes to wealth creation. For many respondents, cryptocurrencies appear to be seen as one of those routes.
Cryptocurrencies are part of a broader goal: financial independence
Although the majority of respondents stated that they receive some form of financial support from their parents, 41% said that their ideal situation would not involve any financial help, preferring to fend for themselves despite financial obstacles.
When asked to choose between financial comfort with family support or a more difficult path with complete freedom, 39% selected the most difficult path.. Another 26% want a gradual approach, suggesting that even those who accept help see it as temporary. Overall, 65% of respondents believe that parental financial involvement is something that should be minimized or eliminated entirely.
The same mindset shows up in your investment goals.
Nearly half (44%) expect cryptocurrencies to be one of the main ways to generate wealth in the next five years, while another 46% believe it will play at least some significant role. Taken together, the results suggest that Generation Z views cryptocurrencies less as short-term speculation and more as part of a broader effort to gain financial autonomy.
What it means
The survey paints a picture of a generation that approaches cryptocurrencies differently than many stereotypes. Gen Z cryptocurrency investors overwhelmingly learn through AI tools and online communities. However, the data suggests that they are not primarily motivated by advertising or social influence. Instead, they are using those channels to pursue goals that are fundamentally financial: building wealth faster, getting up to speed financially, and ultimately becoming more independent.
As Generation Z becomes an increasingly important part of the cryptocurrency market, the platforms that shape their decisions may matter as much as the assets themselves.
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