Bitget, the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has released its User Asset Allocation Report 2026, combining platform trading data with survey responses from more than 6,000 global users.
The report found that crypto remained the primary trading asset in Q1 2026, with 86% of surveyed users holding digital assets. However, participation in traditional markets expanded significantly throughout the quarter.
According to Bitget, crypto accounted for nearly all trading activity in early January before stabilizing within a 60% to 80% range by March as users increased exposure to other asset classes.
During the same period, trading activity involving traditional assets, particularly gold, rose from near zero to between 20% and 40% of total activity, marking the platform’s strongest quarterly increase for non-crypto trading.
Equities and commodities gain traction
The report showed that 52% of surveyed users now hold equities alongside crypto assets, while 35% hold gold or other precious metals.
Commodities emerged as the most widely adopted non-crypto asset category among participants. Users also identified AI-related investments, precious metals and crude oil as the dominant investment themes for 2026.
Among higher-net-worth users, diversification trends were even more pronounced. Bitget said its users recorded an average annual return of 13% in 2025, while approximately 6% of VIP users achieved returns between 51% and 100%.
Additionally, 74% of surveyed high-value users said they plan to further diversify across crypto, equities and commodities during 2026 to manage risk more actively.
Bitget’s report found that trading behavior continues to vary significantly across regions based on local macroeconomic conditions.
In East Asia, 60% of users cited avoiding currency conversion as a key reason for preferring USDT settlement, while 48% highlighted easier access compared to traditional financial account-opening requirements.
In Southeast Asia, 46% of participants identified leverage access as a major reason for trading traditional assets through crypto-linked platforms.
Meanwhile, 78% of users in Latin America said diversification and protection against inflation or currency depreciation were the main reasons for holding both crypto and traditional assets.
AI tools becoming part of mainstream trading
The report also highlighted growing adoption of AI-assisted trading tools.
According to the survey, 51% of users already rely on AI-based tools to support investment decisions. Bitget said products including GetAgent, GetClaw and Agent Hub are increasingly used to analyze earnings reports, macroeconomic developments, commodity price movements and on-chain data.
Gracy Chen said retail trading behavior is becoming increasingly “macro-aware,” with users moving capital between asset classes based on liquidity, volatility and market access rather than focusing on a single sector.
The report also indicated growing interest in Bitget’s Universal Exchange model, which combines multiple asset classes within one trading environment.
According to the survey, 71% of users identified USDT settlement as the platform feature they value most, while 65% ranked the ability to switch quickly between crypto, equities, forex and commodities within a single account as a top priority.
Users also described their ideal platform as one that combines stablecoin settlement, centralized liquidity, transparent reserve verification, global market access and AI-assisted trading tools within a unified system.
Dan Burgin
U.Today Editorial Team
