UK Adults Show Growing Interest in Adding Crypto to Retirement Savings

Highlights:

• Around 27% of UK adults say they would consider adding cryptocurrency to their retirement savings.
• Younger adults show high crypto adoption, but security and regulation remain major concerns.
• Starting January 2026, the UK will implement stricter crypto rules and require detailed reporting from firms.

On Tuesday, UK insurer Aviva reported that a survey of 2,000 adults found 27% might include cryptocurrency in their retirement plans. The poll, conducted by Censuswide between June 4 and 6, showed that about 23% of UK adults might consider transferring part or all of their existing pension savings into cryptocurrency. 

Among those considering using their pensions for crypto, 43% seek higher returns, while 36% are attracted to new technology. Approximately 32% want to diversify their investments to reduce risk. More than 80% of UK adults have pensions totaling £3.8 trillion ($5.12 trillion), so even minor allocations could bring substantial funds into cryptocurrency. This shows rising interest in crypto within retirement savings.

UK retirement savers warm to crypto. A new Aviva survey finds 27% of UK adults would include crypto in retirement, hinting at future flows from a multi-trillion pound pension market.

‣ 27% open to crypto in pensions, per @Censuswide polling for Aviva
‣ 23% would even shift… pic.twitter.com/9xejvGEIGh

— TrinityPad (@Trinity_Pad) August 27, 2025

UK Interest in Crypto Retirement Plans Amid Risk Concerns

The survey was released just after US President Donald Trump signed an order earlier this month allowing US 401(k) retirement plans to include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, giving access to more than $9 trillion in assets.

Aviva revealed that nearly 20% of UK adults aged 25 to 34, roughly 11.6 million people, have owned cryptocurrency at some point, with around two-thirds continuing to hold it. Survey participants cited their main concerns as security threats such as hacking and phishing (41%), insufficient regulation and safeguards (37%), and market price swings (30%). Aviva’s wealth and advice director, Michele Golunska, said it’s clear why crypto has become attractive in recent years, but pensions still provide important benefits.

Golunska noted:

“There are lots of different investment opportunities out there, and it’s easy to see why cryptocurrency has become so popular in recent years. But we mustn’t forget the value of the good old pension. It comes with some powerful benefits, like employer contributions and tax relief, that can make a real difference to your long-term financial wellbeing.”

Almost 1 in 3 people in the survey said they are interested in crypto but don’t fully understand what benefits they might lose if they take money out of their pensions. Additionally, 27% of respondents were unaware of any risks associated with crypto investments.

UK Plans Stricter Cryptocurrency Rules and 2026 Reporting Requirements

The United Kingdom has taken a cautious approach toward crypto regulation. Starting January 1, 2026, UK cryptocurrency companies must collect and report complete customer details for every trade and transaction. This measure aims to strengthen tax compliance and improve regulatory oversight. HM Revenue and Customs stated that under the new regulations, platforms must collect users’ full names, addresses, and tax identification numbers.

The proposal aims to oversee crypto exchanges, dealers, and agents like traditional financial firms. The plan emphasizes strict transparency and stronger consumer protection measures. UK banks have also limited crypto activity. Forty percent of 2,000 surveyed crypto investors reported that their banks blocked or delayed payments to crypto platforms.

🇬🇧 New UK crypto reporting rules incoming!

TLDR: crypto-asset service providers will be held to the same reporting standards as traditional financial institutions.

From 1 Jan 2026, UK-based cryptoasset service providers must collect and report user data to HMRC, under the… pic.twitter.com/SQEtO3vNI3

— UK CBT (@UKCBT_org) May 19, 2025