Sandmark Report Reveals Finance Pros' Crypto Conviction from Experience
Sandmark released its inaugural Crypto Intelligence Report on April 9, 2026, from Geneva, surveying over 5,000 finance professionals and crypto investors across eight countries. The findings challenge common views by showing how hands-on involvement and reliable data foster confidence among those who manage risk daily. This shift signals crypto's maturation as institutions weigh its long-term potential against persistent hurdles.
Experience Lowers Perceived Risk
Only one in ten finance professionals who hold crypto consider it high risk, far below the 25% rate among the broader finance community. Confidence surges among active participants, especially institutional investors and long-term holders, while newcomers express more doubt. This pattern underscores a core dynamic: direct engagement, bolstered by credible intelligence, transforms abstract volatility into manageable opportunity. Historically, crypto's wild price swings deterred traditional finance, yet familiarity reveals diversification benefits akin to early internet stock booms.
Regulation Clears Path for Institutions
Regulatory uncertainty tops barriers to wider adoption, followed by volatility and governance issues. Respondents across groups view crypto as a strategic, long-term asset with substantial upside, not mere speculation. As protections solidify, Sandmark's Michelle Fotopoulou notes, engagement accelerates and confidence spreads. Clear rules could mirror past fintech integrations, drawing trillions in managed assets and stabilizing prices through deeper liquidity.
Public Figures Stir Mixed Sentiments
Elon Musk leads positive influence at 51%, while Donald Trump draws the strongest negativity at 38%, even as 17% cite him positively. Among Musk enthusiasts who own crypto, 77% express high optimism about its future. Such figures amplify discovery via social media but also sow division, highlighting the need for data over hype. This duality reflects crypto's cultural evolution from fringe asset to mainstream contender.
Market Matures Toward Data-Driven Decisions
Social platforms spark initial interest, yet finance professionals prioritize actionable market intelligence to navigate the ecosystem. The report, produced with GWI and targeting financially savvy investors, addresses a research void beyond retail moods. Institutional momentum promises reduced volatility and innovation, provided reliable insights keep pace with regulatory advances. Access the full Sandmark Crypto Intelligence Report here.
