A recent survey by JPMorgan shows that most institutional investors are still not interested in crypto trading. According to the results, 71% of respondents said they had no plans to trade crypto in 2025. This is a decrease from 78% in 2024, meaning more traders are showing interest, but the majority still avoid digital assets.
The survey also revealed that 16% of traders plan to trade crypto this year, while 13% are already involved. Both numbers are higher than last year, indicating a slow but growing acceptance.
Despite this, all survey participants said they plan to increase their online or electronic trading, particularly for less liquid assets. This shows that while crypto remains a lower priority, digital trading as a whole is expanding.
Regulatory Changes Could Open the Door for Digital Assets
One reason some traders remain cautious about crypto is past regulatory uncertainty. However, the environment is improving in the United States. Under the Trump administration, financial agencies have adjusted policies to make it easier for traditional banks to enter the crypto market.
“Recent headlines suggest that the new administration supports the market,” said Eddie Wen, JPMorgan’s global head of digital markets. He noted that regulatory changes have removed some barriers for banks looking to invest in digital assets.
Apart from this, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently reduced the size of its crypto enforcement unit. This suggests a more relaxed approach to digital assets.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a sovereign wealth fund. This fund will be managed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, both of whom are known for supporting crypto. There is speculation that the fund could be used to buy Bitcoin, according to Senator Cynthia Lummis.
White House “crypto czar” David Sacks also stated that the U.S. wants to bring stablecoins under regulatory oversight. The goal is to strengthen the U.S. dollar’s influence globally by allowing it to operate more efficiently in digital transactions.
Crypto Adoption Remains Slow, But Change Is Coming
The survey also asked traders about the biggest challenges facing financial markets this year. The top concerns are inflation and tariffs, with 51% of respondents identifying these as major risks. Rising geopolitical tensions were another key issue.
Additionally, 41% of traders said market volatility is their biggest challenge, up from 28% in 2024. This increase suggests that unpredictable price movements are making trading more difficult. The survey, conducted between Jan. 9 and 23, included 4,200 institutional traders from 60 locations worldwide.
