Survey Reveals Shifting Trends in Retail Crypto Trading
In early 2025, the cryptocurrency trading platform Tothemoon conducted a comprehensive global survey targeting retail crypto traders. The objective was to gain insights into the trading behaviors of participants in the evolving market landscape. The survey encompassed individuals with a diverse range of experiences, backgrounds, and levels of risk tolerance, focusing on their trading habits, tools they utilize, and their future expectations. The findings indicate a transformation in retail crypto trading, highlighting the integration of traditional strategies with innovative tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing influence of social factors.
Rise in AI Utilization Among Traders
The survey revealed that over a third of respondents, specifically 36.6%, are currently leveraging AI-driven tools for their trading activities, with an additional 28% intending to incorporate these technologies in the near future. This trend signifies a move towards increased automation within the retail trading sector. AI-powered bots, assistants, and signal tools are becoming essential components of traders’ arsenals. Furthermore, the data shows that trading decisions are increasingly influenced by a mix of sources, including memes and AI-generated signals, which stand at 28.1% and 24.2% respectively. This shift indicates that news, typically a primary driver of trading decisions, now shares the spotlight with these modern influences, as traditional technical analysis lags behind at 19.1%.
Growing Risk Appetite Among Retail Traders
The survey indicates a noticeable increase in risk tolerance among retail traders. Approximately 42.1% of respondents categorize themselves as medium-risk traders, while 18.8% actively seek high-risk opportunities, such as trading in memecoins and other speculative assets. This change in perspective suggests a generational shift in how younger traders approach financial risk, reflecting a more adventurous attitude towards investing.
Crypto Trading Becomes Part of Daily Life
For many individuals, crypto trading has seamlessly integrated into their daily routines. About 34.3% of users monitor the markets more than five times each day, while another 27.3% check in three to five times daily. Trading platforms that incorporate trading features into everyday life are experiencing heightened engagement from their users.
Personal Barriers Hinder Retail Adoption
The primary obstacles to wider retail adoption of cryptocurrency are rooted in personal concerns rather than technological issues. According to the survey, 31.2% of participants struggle with insufficient funds, 28.9% harbor fears of financial losses, and 19.8% express confusion regarding the market. In contrast, technical complexities appear to be a minor barrier, suggesting that enhanced user interfaces and support systems could effectively alleviate these challenges.
Anticipated Integration of Crypto and Traditional Finance
Looking toward the future, users anticipate greater integration between cryptocurrency and traditional financial systems. Emerging trends such as AI-managed funds, tokenized real-world assets, and culturally-themed cryptocurrencies indicate a movement towards a more interconnected financial ecosystem.
Shifting Preferences for Stablecoins
While USDT remains the dominant stablecoin among users, there is an increasing interest in alternative options. Algorithmic stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are capturing the attention of a growing segment of retail traders. Notably, 55.4% prefer to manage their own investment portfolios, yet many still utilize AI for tasks like portfolio monitoring and rebalancing, reflecting a trend towards self-directed investing supplemented by automated tools.
Emotional Responses of Traders Evolve
The emotional responses of traders during market downturns are also maturing. Only 18% of participants indicated they would sell their holdings in a market crash, while 29.9% would choose to hold their positions, and 23.9% expressed a willingness to buy more. This growing confidence suggests an increasing belief in the long-term viability of cryptocurrency assets.
Diverse Profiles of Modern Crypto Traders
The typical cryptocurrency trader in 2025 does not conform to a singular profile. Many blend various trading strategies with cultural trends, social media influences, and automation tools. They exhibit agility by navigating across different platforms and asset classes, quickly adapting to emerging opportunities in the market.
