Younger heirs may push inherited wealth toward crypto – Galaxy

During an episode of the Milk Road show on Jan. 6, Zac Prince, who runs Galaxy One, the banking business of Galaxy Digital, predicted that an intergenerational wealth shift in the United States could channel more money into cryptocurrencies. He referenced UBS estimates showing Americans hold $163 trillion in wealth, with baby boomers controlling $83.3 trillion.

Prince argued that heirs are likely to make different allocation choices than their parents, raising the chance that inherited portfolios include digital assets.

“I see a lot of stuff about how like younger people are getting screwed because older people are holding all the money,” he noted. “When that wealth starts to transfer, the preferences of younger folks are going to matter more.”

The UBS 2025 global wealth report places more than half of U.S. household wealth with boomers, outlining the scale of money that could change hands over time.

Survey data points to a split in asset preferences by age. A fourth-quarter report from Coinbase found about 25% of younger traders held nontraditional assets such as crypto, derivatives, and private investments, compared with 8% among older investors. Further context on how the service fits into these trends is covered in our Coinbase reviews.

Prince also pointed to technology that simplifies market access, citing mobile apps that allow near-instant trading and multiple products in one interface. He contrasted that with broker models that rely on phone calls and in-person meetings. “I think those trends are in our favor,” he added.

Prince did not outline a timeline for any impact on crypto markets, describing the inheritance cycle as a gradual process rather than a single event.

Galaxy One is Galaxy Digital’s banking arm, focused on services for institutions and large investors.