Retail Investors’ 23-Month Stock Buying Streak May Signal Shift from Bitcoin

• Longest buying streak: Retail investors net bought stocks for 23 consecutive months, surpassing prior trends since 2020.

• ETF inflows steady: Individual buyers poured into exchange-traded funds for 158 straight days, driving market rallies.

• Crypto outflows rise: Bitcoin’s 5.3% net decline contrasts with NASDAQ’s 20% gain, pulling retail from digital assets to traditional markets, per Just ETF data.

Discover why retail investors are ditching crypto for stocks in 2025. Explore the 23-month buying streak, ETF trends, and implications for Bitcoin. Stay ahead—read now for market insights.

What is driving retail investors away from crypto toward stocks?

Retail investors are increasingly favoring stocks over crypto due to the stability and growth in traditional markets amid economic uncertainties. In 2025, this shift has led to a remarkable 23-month streak of net stock purchases, the longest since the 2020-2022 period, as individuals seek reliable inflation offsets in assets like NASDAQ-listed companies. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s performance, down 5.3% net after corrections, has prompted many to reallocate funds to lower-risk equities showing 20% gains.

How has retail buying influenced stock market trends in relation to crypto?

Retail buying has reshaped stock market dynamics, extending trends like meme stock investing and fueling rapid rallies, particularly in AI-driven sectors. Data from financial reports indicates that individual investors have net purchased stocks for 23 months straight, outpacing the previous 32-month streak in crypto enthusiasm. This surge coincides with 158 consecutive days of ETF inflows, where retail traders quickly adapt to conditions, amplifying bull market momentum.

The interplay between stocks and crypto reveals a risk-reward trade-off. While Bitcoin often mirrors NASDAQ as a high-volatility variant—offering short-term spikes but deeper drawdowns—stocks have provided steadier returns. For instance, in November 2025, Bitcoin outperformed NASDAQ briefly but failed to erase earlier losses, leading to net outflows from digital assets. Expert analysts note that this behavior positions crypto as a speculative extension of tech indices, drawing cautious retail participants toward diversified equity portfolios instead.

Furthermore, the rise of a global middle class has boosted demand for U.S. equities, with platforms like Robinhood reporting a 132% increase in equity trading fees during Q3 2025. European data underscores this, showing over 780,000 new share buyers in Q3, an 18% rise from 2024. These trends suggest retail investors are embedding themselves as permanent market fixtures, favoring call options in bullish bets and acting as dip buyers when institutional funds retreat.

BTC behaved as a more volatile version of NASDAQ, with bigger short-term gains and deeper losses. | Source: Just ETF

Institutional dominance in crypto trading has further accelerated the retail exodus. Whales now control much of the liquidity, limiting fresh inflows and pushing even crypto enthusiasts toward tokenized stock assets. This evolution marks a broader maturation of markets, where retail participation in equities not only counters inflation but also diversifies holdings away from crypto‘s inherent volatility.

Signs of caution are emerging among retail traders, with selective accumulation amid bubble warnings in AI stocks. Nonetheless, their role in sustaining market optimism remains pivotal, contrasting the sporadic nature of earlier crypto booms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are retail investors achieving a 23-month stock buying streak while leaving crypto?

Retail investors’ 23-month stock buying streak stems from seeking stable returns in a high-inflation environment. Stocks, especially NASDAQ components, delivered 20% net gains in 2025, versus Bitcoin’s 5.3% decline, making equities a preferable hedge. This shift reflects a preference for lower crash risks in traditional assets over crypto’s volatility.

What does the retail shift from crypto to stocks mean for Bitcoin’s future performance?

The retail shift from crypto to stocks signals reduced liquidity for Bitcoin, potentially prolonging its recovery challenges. As individuals favor ETFs and equities for consistent growth, Bitcoin may continue behaving as a riskier NASDAQ proxy, with amplified short-term swings. However, renewed inflows could occur if tech correlations strengthen, per market analysts.

Key Takeaways

• Extended buying streak: Retail investors’ 23-month net purchases of stocks represent sustained confidence in equities as an inflation buffer, outlasting prior crypto-focused trends.
• ETF and market rallies: With 158 days of continuous ETF buying, individuals drove key 2025 rallies, particularly in AI sectors, diverging from crypto’s correction path.
• Caution amid optimism: While accumulating shares selectively, retail traders balance bullish bets with bubble concerns, urging diversified portfolios over pure crypto exposure.

Conclusion

The ongoing shift of retail investors from crypto to stocks underscores a maturing investor landscape in 2025, where 23-month buying streaks and ETF inflows highlight equities’ appeal as reliable assets. As NASDAQ surges ahead of Bitcoin’s volatile path, this trend signals broader adoption of diversified strategies amid economic flux. Investors should monitor these dynamics closely, positioning for potential cross-market opportunities in the evolving financial ecosystem.