Japan Crypto Survey: Half Invest ¥10,000–50,000 Monthly

Clabo's editorial team conducted a survey on monthly investment amounts in crypto assets (also known as virtual currencies).

45.7% of respondents with investment experience said they invest ¥10,000–50,000 (roughly $70–350) per month, making it the most common range.

Interestingly, investment behavior varies significantly by years of experience.

Among beginners with less than one year of experience, about half report investing nothing in a typical month, while investment amounts tend to increase as investors gain more experience.

In addition, 46.9% of respondents cited "fear of risk" as the main reason for limiting their investment amount—the most common response—while a lack of information literacy also ranked highly as a factor holding back larger investments.

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Nearly Half Invest ¥10,000–50,000 Monthly as Small, Recurring Investments Become the Norm

When asked how much they invest in crypto assets each month on average over the past three months, the most common response was ¥10,000–50,000 (roughly $70–350), selected by 328 respondents (45.7%).

This was followed by "¥0 (not investing in most months)" at 202 respondents (28.1%), "¥60,000–100,000" at 131 respondents (18.2%), and "¥110,000 or more" at 57 respondents (7.9%).

*Based on 718 respondents with investment experience. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.

A monthly amount of ¥10,000–50,000 falls within a range that does not strain everyday living expenses, consistent with a recurring, dollar-cost-averaging style of investment.

In fact, when asked why they invest at this level, 226 respondents (31.5%)—nearly one in three—said they are building up savings for future asset formation through regular contributions.

This shows that a majority of experienced investors favor a steady, asset-building investment style.

Over Half Say Their Investment Pace Has "Not Changed," Highlighting a Steady Approach

Asked whether their investment amount had changed over the past year, 380 respondents (52.9%)—a majority—said it had "not changed."

With 155 respondents (21.6%) reporting an increase and 142 (19.8%) reporting a decrease, the results suggest that investors broadly maintain a consistent pace rather than overreacting to market fluctuations.

Over 80% Made Their First Investment Under ¥100,000, Reflecting a Trend Toward Starting Small

Asked about the amount of their first crypto asset investment, "under ¥10,000" was the most common response at 298 respondents (41.5%). Combined with "¥10,000–under ¥100,000" at 281 respondents (39.1%), this means 81% of experienced investors started with a small investment of under ¥100,000.

"¥100,000–under ¥500,000" accounted for 106 respondents (14.8%), and "¥500,000 or more" for just 33 respondents (4.6%). Current holdings were also under ¥1,000,000 for 75% of respondents, showing that most investors follow a pattern of starting small and building up their position over time.

Investment Behavior Shifts Significantly With Experience—Gradual Growth From Beginner to Advanced

So how does investment amount change with years of experience?

Analyzing monthly investment amounts by years of experience reveals notable changes as investors become more proficient. Among beginners with less than one year of experience, about half report investing nothing, indicating that an investment rhythm has not yet been established.

At the 1–3 year experience mark, a habit of investing ¥10,000–50,000 per month begins to take hold, and from 3–5 years onward, the ¥60,000–100,000 range tends to expand. Among advanced investors with 5 or more years of experience, investment strategies diversify further and the share of large-scale investors (¥210,000 or more) grows, indicating a widening polarization.

■ Less than 1 year (Beginner) n=208

Characteristics: About half have yet to establish an investment habit.

■ 1–3 years (Novice) n=293

Characteristics: A stage where regular monthly investing of ¥10,000–50,000 begins to take hold.

■ 3–5 years (Intermediate) n=124

Characteristics: The ¥60,000–100,000 segment grows, with a tendency to increase investment amounts.

■ 5+ years (Advanced) n=93

Characteristics: Investment styles diversify, and large-scale investors become more prominent.

"Fear of Risk" Is the Top Reason for Limiting Investment Amounts—Lack of Information Also a Challenge

Asked about the main reasons for setting their investment amount at that level (multiple answers allowed), the most common response was "I keep the amount small because I'm afraid of the risk," cited by 337 respondents (46.9%).

This was followed by "I'm building up savings for future asset formation" at 226 respondents (31.5%) and "I prioritize living expenses (investing only surplus funds)" at 206 respondents (28.7%).

In addition, 123 respondents (17.1%) cited "I lack confidence in gathering information and making decisions," and 90 (12.5%) cited "I'm uneasy about taxes and tax filing, which makes it hard to invest more," showing that uncertainty around information and institutional rules is also a major factor constraining investment behavior.

Anxiety About Information Rivals Price Volatility—A Lack of Reliable Grounds for Decision-Making

Next, we asked about anxieties respondents feel toward investing. The most common answer was "I can't judge whether information is accurate" at 308 respondents (42.9%), followed by "price volatility is severe" at 275 (38.3%), "I don't know the right timing to buy or sell" at 269 (37.5%), and "I'm anxious about taxes and tax filing" at 257 (35.8%). Alongside concerns about price risk, anxiety over evaluating the reliability of information emerged as a major influence on investors' decision-making.

*Multiple answers allowed. Based on 718 respondents with investment experience.

Over Half Prioritize "Long-Term Holding," Favoring Stability Over Short-Term Price Moves

Asked about their current investment style, 363 respondents (50.6%)—a majority—said "long-term holding is central" to their approach. This was followed by "short-term trading is central" at 214 respondents (29.8%) and "I use a mix of both" at 108 respondents (15.0%).

The preference for long-term holding appears to reflect both the difficulty of dealing with short-term price swings and an investment stance that prioritizes building assets through regular contributions.

Summary

This survey found that the median monthly investment amount among crypto investors in Japan falls in the ¥10,000–50,000 range, confirming that small, recurring investments are the dominant style. Investment amounts tend to grow in stages with years of experience, with a divergence in investment behavior emerging around the three-year mark.

At the same time, risk-averse psychology (46.9%) and a lack of information literacy (17.1%) rank as the top factors limiting investment amounts, highlighting an important challenge for expanding the investor base. Promoting a better understanding of price volatility risk and building an environment with access to reliable information will likely be key to supporting the healthy growth of the market.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to solicit investment. Investing in crypto assets carries significant risks, including price volatility risk, liquidity risk, and regulatory risk. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. Please make investment decisions at your own responsibility.

Survey Overview

Survey date: February 24, 2026
Survey method: Internet survey
Survey subjects: Men and women residing in Japan (people currently investing in crypto assets or who have invested in the past)
Valid responses: 718
Conducted by: Clabo Inc.

Survey Questions

• Have you ever invested in crypto assets (virtual currency)?
• How many years of experience do you have investing in crypto assets?
• How much was your first investment?
• Approximately how much do you currently hold in crypto assets (based on current value)?
• On average over the past three months, how much do you invest in crypto assets each month? (including recurring purchases and additional buys)
• Has your monthly investment amount changed over the past year?
• What are the main reasons your monthly investment amount falls within that range?
• Which of the following best describes your current investment style?
• What concerns do you have about investing in crypto assets?
• What do you prioritize when deciding your monthly investment amount?

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.