US Gen Z Starts Wealth Building at 19, Nearly Half Favor Cryptocurrency

A 2026 wealth survey by U.S. Bank reveals that Gen Z begins building wealth at an average age of 19, significantly earlier than previous generations. While 47% of Gen Z rely on social media for financial advice and nearly half show interest in cryptocurrency, many still view traditional investments as the best path for long-term goals. Despite early starts, 62% of Gen Z report difficulty in making financial progress, and 49% have paused or plan to pause investments.