Twin Cities residents turn to cryptocurrency, high-risk financial options as costs rise

80% in the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul area are taking this route as a result of feeling financially behind, according to 2026 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, March X, 2026 – 48% of adults in the Twin Cities say they have become more risk-averse with their finances over the past year due to uncertainties with markets, the economy, jobs and more. This aligns with the national average, in which 44% of adults in the United States have reacted similarly with their finances.

Despite the increased aversion to risk for many Minneapolis-Saint Paulresidents, investing in high-risk/speculative assets is fairly prominent in the area – with cryptocurrencies leading the way. Northwestern Mutual’s newly released 2026 Planning & Progress Study also revealed:

·21% of those in the Twin Cities said they are currently investing in – or considering investing in – crypto over the next 12 months.

·Additionally, 9% of those surveyed in Minneapolis-Saint Paul are – or will be – partaking in sports betting / prediction markets as part of their finances, along with 9% investing in options and 6% in meme stocks. Each of these figures exceed the national average.

Among those in the Twin Cities who are going in the direction of high-risk/speculative assets, 80% say that they are doing so because they feel financially behind and believe these investments will help them reach their financial goals more effectively than traditional methods.

“The Planning & Progress emphasizes that people are struggling to keep pace financially and feel like they might need to scramble to catch up,” said Elizabeth Miskovich, private wealth advisor with Northwestern Mutual in Minneapolis. “There are multiple ways to achieve your financial goals. Speculative assets can come with a lot of unnecessary risk. Regardless of the path you choose, starting with a financial advisor can help you map out a personalized strategy to help navigate your particular situation.”

Open to taking job risk for potential upside

30% of Minneapolis-Saint Paul respondents shared they would change employer or start a business for that potential upside. Nationally, more than two-thirds of Americans prefer the consistency and stability of staying with one employer rather than taking the risk of moving around.

When faced with uncertainty or the unknown, Twin Cities residents react with anxiety more than the rest of the country (57% compared to 50%). The majority of respondents in the study across the United States shared that they react to those situations with caution (54% overall).

Minneapolis residents are also feeling the pinch more than the national average in many key financial areas. Over the past three months, this is the percentage of those in Minneapolis-Saint Paul who shared that they personally experienced elevated costs for these essentials.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Overall U.S.

Groceries

82%

79%

Gas

43%

44%

Utilities

68%

66%

Housing expenses

57%

49%