A report by the Hana Institute of Finance reveals that 40% of cryptocurrency investors consider the asset class a tool for retirement planning.

This indicates a shift from short-term speculation to long-term investment, with findings published on June 29, 2025.

Among investors aged 50 and older, over half cited retirement planning as their primary motivation for investing in cryptocurrencies.

In contrast, about a third of those in their 20s reported investing casually, often influenced by trends or for entertainment.

The report notes a decline in short-term investors compared to previous years.

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🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Crypto’s evolution from speculative asset to retirement vehicle

The Korean trend of using crypto for retirement planning mirrors global shifts in investor mindset about digital assets.

Financial experts at Charles Schwab specifically caution that cryptocurrencies remain speculative investments lacking intrinsic value and government backing, making them potentially risky for retirement funds 1.

Despite these warnings, cryptocurrency IRAs have gained significant traction, with products like Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) reaching over $20 billion in market capitalization as investors seek tax-advantaged exposure 2.

This tension between traditional financial advice and growing adoption reflects crypto’s ongoing transition from pure speculation to perceived long-term store of value.

Experts recommend limiting crypto exposure in retirement portfolios to just 1-5% based on individual risk tolerance, showing that even as acceptance grows, traditional financial wisdom still advocates caution 3.

The higher adoption rate among Koreans in their 40s and 50s for retirement planning contradicts the typical early-adopter profile, suggesting digital assets are increasingly viewed as legitimate financial instruments across age demographics.

2️⃣ The pandemic’s lasting impact on cryptocurrency investment behavior

The article’s finding that over 60% of Korean crypto investors entered the market around 2020 aligns with global pandemic-driven investment trends.

During this period, the total cryptocurrency market saw explosive growth, with Bitcoin’s market cap increasing significantly, while the broader altcoin market also experienced notable growth 4.

This pandemic-era entry point for most investors coincided with unprecedented monetary expansion policies worldwide, as investors sought alternatives to traditional financial assets during a period of economic uncertainty.

The significant progression from small initial investments (75% starting with less than 3 million won) to larger holdings (42% now with over 10 million won) demonstrates how pandemic-era crypto adopters have maintained and expanded their positions despite market volatility.

This sustained investment behavior suggests that COVID-era crypto adoption wasn’t merely a temporary trend but has established a new baseline of digital asset ownership across multiple demographics.

3️⃣ The widening crypto investment gap between men and women

The Korean gender disparity in crypto investment (67% men vs. 33% women) reflects persistent investment gaps across global financial markets.

While the Korean gender split is significant, it actually represents more female participation than seen in many Western markets, where some studies have shown male investors outnumbering female investors by as much as 4:1 in cryptocurrency markets 3.

The underrepresentation of women in crypto investing parallels broader challenges in financial inclusion, where traditional investment vehicles have historically shown similar gender imbalances.

As cryptocurrencies potentially become more mainstream retirement vehicles, addressing this gender gap becomes increasingly important for equitable financial outcomes, particularly since retirement planning was cited as a primary motivation by over half of investors in their 50s.

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