Global demographic shifts and increasing wealth are predicted to significantly boost cryptocurrency adoption and asset demand until the year 2100. An aging global population coupled with increased productivity worldwide will result in a larger population with more capital to invest. This trend is expected to drive demand for various assets, including cryptocurrencies, for decades to come.

According to a research report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City published in August 2025, population aging will continue the upward trend in asset demand seen in recent decades. Demographic projections suggest that aging will raise asset demand by an additional 200% of GDP between 2024 and 2100. This could imply a continued decline in real interest rates, further boosting demand for alternative investments like Bitcoin.

Crypto Adoption Trends

While cryptocurrencies are still considered risky assets, growing regulatory clarity may lead the aging population to value Bitcoin as much as gold over the next 75 years. As of December 2024, approximately 34% of global cryptocurrency holders were aged between 24 and 35. However, with increasing regulatory clarity and the introduction of institutional products like Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could become more attractive to older investors.

Gracy Chen, CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Bitget, noted that the maturity of crypto regulations currently being developed could play a significant role in fueling future demand for the asset class. Chen added that the growing government backing of crypto and its proven role as a store of value will see the aging population evolve to value Bitcoin as much as they have come to value gold.

Generational Divide in Crypto Ownership

Currently, younger generations show a greater inclination towards cryptocurrency adoption. A Gemini report from January 2025 revealed that Gen Z adults (ages 18-29) are the most engaged with digital assets, with over half (51%) reporting that they currently own or have owned cryptocurrency. This is significantly higher than the 35% reported by the general population. In the U.S., crypto ownership among Gen Z stands at 51%, compared to 49% of Millennials (born 1981-1996) and 29% of Gen X (born 1965-1980).

This trend is evident across multiple countries, including the UK, Singapore, and France. In the U.S., one in three Gen Z respondents said they would be comfortable allocating at least 5% of their portfolio to cryptocurrency, compared to 21% of the general U.S. population. Interestingly, Gen Z also has a more optimistic view of the crypto industry's self-regulatory efforts, with only 31% strongly agreeing on the need for increased government regulation, compared to 46% of the general population.

Global Wealth Distribution and Inequality

The distribution of wealth globally remains highly skewed. According to a 2021 Oxfam report, the 10 richest men in the world owned more than the combined wealth of the bottom 3.1 billion people. Credit Suisse's "Global Wealth Report 2021" also showed a substantial increase in wealth inequality during 2020, with the richest 1.1% of the adult population owning 45.8% of the total wealth.

While global wealth declined for the first time since 2008 in 2022, projections indicate a rise of 38% over the next five years, reaching $629 trillion by 2027. Growth in middle-income countries is expected to be the primary driver of this trend. The number of global millionaires could exceed 84 million by 2025, with a significant increase expected in China.

Factors Influencing Crypto's Long-Term Growth

Several factors could influence the long-term growth and adoption of cryptocurrencies. These include:

• Regulatory clarity: Clear and consistent regulations will be crucial for attracting institutional investors and fostering mainstream adoption.
• Technological advancements: Continued innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi), layer-2 scaling solutions, and other areas will enhance the utility and scalability of cryptocurrencies.
• Macroeconomic factors: Concerns about inflation and economic uncertainty could drive more investors to consider cryptocurrencies as a hedge against traditional assets.
• Institutional adoption: Increased participation from institutional investors, including the launch of ETFs and the tokenization of traditional assets, will provide further legitimacy and stability to the crypto market.

Despite the inherent volatility and risks associated with cryptocurrencies, the combination of an aging global population, rising wealth, and increasing regulatory clarity suggests a promising future for the crypto market well into the next century.