Bitget: Over 50% of Retail Crypto Investors Begin Buying Stocks and Using AI

In a significant shift in investment strategy, retail investors are expanding their portfolios beyond cryptocurrencies, according to Bitget’s latest User Asset Allocation Report 2026. The report reveals that more than half of the platform’s users now hold stocks along with digital currencies, showcasing a growing trend towards diversification.

Diversification Beyond Cryptocurrencies

The findings highlight a move towards a more diversified portfolio, with investors allocating funds into commodities, stocks, and AI-driven investments. This diversification is evident as global asset classes are increasingly included in user portfolios. Data from over 6,000 users worldwide indicates that while cryptocurrencies remain the primary trading activity—held by 86% of respondents—there is notable growth in traditional asset trading.

Surge in Commodities and Alternative Assets

Interestingly, the trading volume for traditional assets like gold has surged from nearly zero to between 20%-40%, marking the strongest quarterly growth for alternative categories on Bitget’s platform. With 52% of global users holding stocks and 35% owning gold or other precious metals, commodities have become the most widespread “non-crypto” asset category among survey participants.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Investment Strategies

AI is becoming an integral part of trading behavior among Bitget users. Notably, 51% of those surveyed are already leveraging AI tools to aid their investment decisions. Bitget’s suite of AI-based products—including GetAgent, GetClaw, and Agent Hub—are increasingly used for analyzing corporate reports and macroeconomic factors across various asset classes.

Regional Preferences and Trading Behavior

Trading preferences continue to align with local macroeconomic conditions. In East Asia, avoiding currency conversion is a key reason for using USDT settlements, whereas in Southeast Asia, access to leverage is crucial for trading traditional assets. In Latin America, diversification and protection against inflation or currency depreciation drive ownership of both crypto and traditional assets.

The Universal Exchange Model Demand

The survey also underscores high demand for a Universal Exchange model. Analyzing responses shows that users prioritize features like USDT settlements (71%) and seamless transitions between cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex, and commodities within one account (65%).
As retail traders grow more macroeconomically oriented in their strategies—redistributing capital based on liquidity and market access—the demand for platforms that effectively support such operations increases. Stablecoin settlements offer practical entry points into wider market participation.
Overall, these findings illustrate an evolving landscape where investors build portfolios based on global signals rather than focusing on a single asset class.