40% of South Korean university students have revealed that they are investing in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), along with overseas stocks, according to a recent survey conducted by Korea Investment and Securities, an investment banking and brokerage service provider. The survey, which took place between June 11 and June 22, involved over 400 South Korean university students.
The findings of the survey indicated that 72% of the respondents were investing in overseas stocks, with the majority stating that they had purchased shares in firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Additionally, 89% of these individuals expressed their desire to expand their NYSE portfolios in the near future. Even those who did not have NYSE portfolios expressed their interest in buying US shares, with 87% stating that they had plans to do so within the next 12 months.
Among the respondents, 40% mentioned that they were investing in both stocks and cryptocurrencies. More than half of this group cited the “high expected rate of return” as the reason for choosing cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, 20% of the respondents believed that digital coins would have a “high value in the future.”
The survey also revealed that a small number of respondents invested in other Asian stock markets, with only 5% investing in Japan and 3% investing in China. This suggests that young South Koreans have little faith in the domestic stock market. They believe that overseas firms offer “relatively low volatility and stability” compared to South Korean stocks.
The survey demonstrated a growing trend among college students to invest their money, with an increasing number of respondents indicating that they had started investing at least three years ago. In terms of investment amounts, most respondents stated that they had invested over $3,590, while 40% mentioned that they had invested more than $7,180. Additionally, just over 17% of respondents admitted to going into debt in order to purchase stocks and cryptocurrencies.
Apart from stocks and cryptocurrencies, students also mentioned investing in other financial products such as principal-guaranteed assets, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), funds, and bonds. The survey highlighted the lack of trust that many young South Koreans have in systems such as the pension service, savings accounts, and the domestic stock market. In a previous survey conducted in April, it was revealed that over three-quarters of South Koreans aged 20-39 “don’t trust” state-issued pensions. Instead, more than 52% of respondents stated that they were investing in stocks, bonds, funds, and cryptocurrencies.
