Earlier this month, the FCA lifted its ban on retail access to crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs).
For the first time, UK retail savers and investors can gain exposure to cryptocurrencies in a regulated framework through ETPs listed on the London Stock Exchange.
This regulatory milestone coincides with the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history, as trillions of pounds begin shifting from baby boomers to millennials and Gen Z.
For advisers, this alignment of access and demand creates a powerful opportunity.
Younger investors are already engaged with crypto, and advisers who can guide them responsibly stand to build long-term trust and relevance.
Wealth managers face the same imperative as younger family members become more influential in multi-generational wealth structures.
For younger investors, crypto is expected
Interest in crypto among younger adults is striking.
Research shows that 84% of 18–34 year olds believe it is appropriate to hold a crypto investment, and among this group, 25% would invest in crypto to save for a house, while 21% would do so to save for retirement.
These findings challenge the perception that crypto is purely speculative. This matters because younger cohorts will soon control unprecedented amounts of wealth.
Advisers and wealth managers who fail to engage on crypto risk appearing out of touch, while those who embrace the conversation can build lasting relationships with the clients of the future.
The education gap and the trust opportunity
While enthusiasm is high, knowledge is often low. More than seven in ten UK investors admit they are not knowledgeable about crypto, and almost a third say they would not know how to react if prices fell sharply.
Volatility is the most common concern: 45% of UK adults cite it as the main reason for hesitating to invest.
This disconnect between interest and understanding creates a clear opening for advisers. Among younger investors, 31% say they trust advisers most for crypto information, but 25% turn to social media.
Advisers who lean into education and risk-framing can help clients use crypto sensibly and avoid uninformed decisions
Without professional guidance, many will rely on sources that may not have their best interests at heart.
By stepping in as educators, advisers can build credibility, address the volatility concern head-on, and position themselves as the trusted interpreters of a fast-moving asset class.
Practical steps to engage the next generation
Helping clients explore crypto responsibly does not require wholesale reinvention. Advisers and wealth managers can:
- Start with small allocations: Demonstrate how a 1% exposure can enhance portfolio efficiency without dramatically changing risk
- Use regulated access points: Guide clients to FCA-permitted crypto ETPs that provide transparency and institutional oversight
- Connect to life goals: Frame crypto as a potential complement to saving for a first home, building retirement wealth etc
- Address volatility directly: Use scenario planning to set expectations about how crypto behaves in different market conditions
- Make it part of the dialogue: Incorporate crypto discussions into regular reviews so clients feel it’s managed as part of their overall plan
Advisers do not need to navigate this landscape alone – partnering with asset managers can help build knowledge about the asset class.
For advisers, this support can make the difference between avoiding the subject and engaging clients with confidence.
The goal is to use partnerships to strengthen understanding and ensure clients have safe pathways into the asset class.
Bridging generations through advice
Intergenerational wealth transfer makes this moment particularly important. As assets pass from older to younger generations, advisers and wealth managers must adapt to new expectations.
Older clients may not have sought crypto exposure, but their heirs are likely to see it as essential.
By engaging now, advisers can create continuity across generations. They can demonstrate to parents that wealth will be stewarded responsibly, while showing younger investors that their interests are being taken seriously.
From access to advice – what comes next?
The FCA’s decision to open the market gives advisers the tools they need to guide clients through this transition. The challenge is no longer whether crypto should be part of the conversation, but how to integrate it responsibly within portfolios.
Advisers who lean into education, risk framing, and goal-based planning can help clients use crypto sensibly and avoid uninformed decisions.
Ignoring the topic risks clients allocating on their own without support, increasing both financial and reputational risks.
If clients feel they had to make these choices alone, they may question the value of advice itself. Addressing crypto proactively safeguards portfolios and professional credibility.
In the context of intergenerational wealth transfer, crypto has become a gateway for advisers and wealth managers to engage younger clients, build credibility, and secure their role in families’ financial futures.
This month’s rule change is not just a regulatory milestone – it is the moment when advisers are given the opportunity to bridge generations, connecting the ambitions of younger investors with the experience and prudence of professional advice.
Those who step up to this role will be the ones who remain trusted partners in the decades ahead.
Ravinder Azad is head of UK sales at WisdomTree
