Even with all the ups and downs in the crypto market lately, many young people are still open to getting digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum as holiday gifts.

Take Wyatt Johnson, a 22-year-old from Wisconsin. Back in 2021, he jumped on the crypto hype train and invested $5,000 in Solana. But within a few months, his investment dropped by half. Since then, he hasn’t put more money into crypto, but he still keeps an eye on the market. And while he’s not ready to invest again just yet, he wouldn’t mind receiving some cryptocurrency as a gift during the holidays.

“Younger generations like mine are seeing money and finance change in real time,” he said. “It’s important for us to stay informed.”

To some people, getting crypto as a gift feels like receiving a lottery ticket—exciting but risky. For others, it’s like a digital gift card with long-term potential. Even though crypto is still volatile, many Gen Zers are open to it—especially if they’re already familiar with investing.

However, this doesn’t mean crypto tops everyone’s wish list. Young adults in their 20s, especially those with some investment experience, are usually cautious. They’re more likely to want help with rent, savings contributions, or investments in more stable assets like stocks or real estate. Wyatt, for example, says he’d rather get support for his AI startup or property investments than more crypto.

On the other hand, younger Gen Zers and teens who are newer to investing tend to be more excited about getting cryptocurrency. According to a recent Visa survey, around 45% of Gen Z would be happy to receive crypto as a holiday present.

Experts say this generation doesn’t fear market swings as much as older generations do. Instead, they’re more afraid of being left behind or stuck financially. Traditional ways of building wealth, like buying a house, feel out of reach for many. Crypto seems more accessible and modern.

Social media has also played a big role in shaping how Gen Z views digital assets. Growing up around Bitcoin and Ethereum trends online made crypto feel normal—even its wild price swings. For many young investors, cryptocurrency is often their first step into the world of investing. Studies show that nearly 20% of Gen Z investors hold only digital assets like crypto or NFTs.

Still, all this interest comes at a tricky time for the crypto world.

Just last year, Bitcoin soared past $100,000. With supportive political changes and market buzz, some believed it could hit $250,000 by year’s end. But those predictions didn’t pan out. After peaking at $126,000 in October, Bitcoin dropped to about $81,000 by late November—a 35% dip that wiped out most of its gains for the year. It has since rebounded to around $95,000 as of early December.

Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum have seen similar drops—Ether has fallen nearly 40% since August.

This kind of volatility isn’t just a crypto issue—it reflects broader economic uncertainty. With rising interest rates, inflation concerns, and fewer job opportunities for young people, many Gen Zers are looking for safer investments that won’t lose value overnight.

Still, some see opportunity in the downturn. According to Bankrate financial analyst Stephen Kates, many young people are buying crypto now while prices are low. But experts continue to warn: cryptocurrency is risky and should only make up a small part of your total investments.

Russell Kai, a 22-year-old finance student in Vancouver, agrees. He started investing two years ago after a friend encouraged him to buy his first stock. Since then, he’s focused on stable investments backed by the government or traditional markets—not trendy digital coins. If someone gave him crypto as a gift today? He’d probably cash it out and reinvest the money into stocks he follows closely.

Clay Lute, a 24-year-old fashion merchant from Queens, feels similarly. He thinks Bitcoin will bounce back and grow in value over time. But he doesn’t believe most cryptocurrencies will survive long-term.

“If I could choose my holiday gift,” Lute said, “I’d rather have someone contribute to my Roth IRA than take a gamble on crypto.”

In short: Gen Z is curious about crypto and willing to accept it as a gift—but many would prefer more stable financial support during uncertain times.