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FINRA 2024 Study Finds Fewer New Investors and Lower Risk Appetite as Crypto Enthusiasm Ebbs

FINRA urges targeted education to close knowledge gaps that leave newer investors vulnerable.

Overview

  • Only 8% of investors began in the past two years, down sharply from 21% reported in 2021, signaling a slowdown in retail market entry.
  • Willingness to take substantial investment risks fell to 8% from 12% in 2021, with under-35s sliding from 24% to 15%.
  • Despite lower stated tolerance, younger investors remain active in riskier trades, with 43% trading options and 22% using margin versus 10% and 4% among older cohorts.
  • Crypto ownership held near 27% as consideration of new purchases dropped from 33% to 26% and 66% now label crypto high-risk, up from 58%.
  • Reliance on online voices is rising, with YouTube used by 61% of under-35s and finfluencer recommendations guiding 61% of new and younger investors, while quiz results show broad knowledge gaps and fraud concern rose to 37% from 31%.