**Gen Z in the US Becomes the Earliest Generation to Engage with Investing, with Nearly Half More Interested in Emerging Options like Cryptocurrencies**

BlockBeats news, September 24 — A 2026 wealth survey by U.S. Bank shows that Generation Z in the United States began accumulating wealth at an average age of 19, significantly earlier than previous generations.

The survey covered 5,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The results show that Gen Z began consciously building wealth (such as investing, saving for retirement, or long-term saving) at an average age of 19, six years earlier than millennials at an average age of 25, ten years earlier than Gen X at 29, and thirteen years earlier than baby boomers at 32. Despite starting earlier, 56% of Gen Z still feel they have "done everything right" yet have not achieved their expected financial situation, 62% say it is difficult to make financial progress, and nearly half (49%) have paused or plan to pause investing.

The survey also found that as traditional milestones such as homeownership become harder to reach, younger generations are turning to other paths. 62% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials believe the stock market is a more realistic path to wealth than buying a home (51% for Gen X and 45% for baby boomers). At the same time, about 47% of Gen Z get financial information through social media, and nearly half of young people are more interested in emerging options such as cryptocurrency, but most still believe traditional investing is the best way to achieve long-term goals. Family support is also increasing, with about 70% of parents having provided or planning to provide help for their children's major milestones.