Summary Millennials and Gen Z are entering an economy where many of the traditional paths to building wealth don’t feel as accessible as they once were. Scarce assets bring focus. They also create a sense of permanence in an environment where everything else can feel volatile or uncertain. By building bridges between established frameworks and new asset classes, we can support a broader, more inclusive definition of investing — one that reflects the full spectrum of value in a changing world. As Millennials and Gen Z face barriers to traditional wealth building, they’re embracing crypto and collectibles, finding value in scarcity, digital ownership, and cultural significance. We’re watching a quiet shift unfold in the financial world. It’s not driven by policy changes or institutional mandates, but by how younger generations are rethinking the role of money, ownership, and value. Millennials and Gen Z are entering an economy where many of the traditional paths to building wealth don’t feel as accessible as they once were. Real estate is out of reach for many. Public markets feel increasingly abstract or dominated by large institutions. And inflation, while rarely headline news anymore, continues to chip away at purchasing power in a way that’s hard to ignore. That doesn’t mean this generation is disengaging from the markets. It just means they’re looking for alternative options. Among the more interesting trends are two areas that might seem unrelated at first: crypto and collectibles. They share something important. Both rely on scarcity, carry strong cultural meaning, and offer a level of ownership that feels more direct and personal. Wealth on Their Own Terms It’s not that younger investors are anti-finance. They’re just playing a different game based on the hand they’ve been dealt. For many, wage growth hasn’t kept up with asset prices. Buying a home, especially in major cities, has become far more difficult. Private investment opportunities are still limited to accredited investors. And even with index funds or ETFs, the market often feels distant or detached from real life. So the shift we’re seeing is practical. People are looking for assets that are easier to access, more transparent, and better aligned with how they live and operate day to day. That’s what makes crypto and collectibles so appealing. They offer flexibility, portability, and, in many cases, they live in the same digital environments that these generations already spend most of their time in. Scarcity Continues to be a Signal of Value Scarcity has always been part of the investing story. It’s what gives value to fine art, rare wine, or classic cars. What’s different now is how younger investors are applying that same thinking to a broader mix of assets. A limited-edition trading card, a pair of collectible sneakers, or a fixed-supply token offers something you can’t easily replicate. It stands in contrast to a world that feels increasingly saturated — whether it’s liquidity, data, or content. Scarce assets bring focus. They also create a sense of permanence in an environment where everything else can feel volatile or uncertain. Blending Digital Scarcity and Physical Ownership Blockchain technology made something possible that didn’t really exist before. For the first time, you could verify ownership of a digital item without needing a third party to vouch for it. That simple shift opened the door to all kinds of possibilities. Suddenly, a digital item could be treated like a physical collectible, with transparent provenance, fixed supply, and access to global markets. We’ve seen this play out in multiple ways: NFT IP Expansion : Pudgy Penguins , which began as a profile picture (PFP) NFT project, has grown into a full-fledged IP powerhouse — expanding into toys, licensing deals, and mainstream culture. It shows how digital-native communities can evolve into brands with staying power. Luca Schnetzler, Pudgy Penguin CEO, speaking at VanEck’s Web3 Takeover event. “Phygital” Collectibles : Companies like Orange Cap Games have taken Pudgy IP as one example, a step further by creating a trading card game that bridges physical and digital. It’s not just a product; it’s a new kind of collectible experience, where ownership, gameplay, and blockchain verification all intersect. VanEck Promo Card from Orange Cap Games. Tokenized Assets : Beyond IP, tokenized real-world assets now allow people to invest in trading cards, watches, or art without needing to physically custody them. NFTs tied to tangible goods provide built-in authenticity and ownership tracking. Digital scarcity doesn’t replace physical ownership. It expands what’s possible, creating hybrid experiences that are both cultural and investable. Assets Represent More Than Financial Value What’s often overlooked in these conversations is that crypto and collectibles also carry cultural weight. A rare card or a unique NFT can say something about who you are, what you value, or the communities you belong to. A wallet can function as both a portfolio and a social signal. That might feel unusual from a traditional finance perspective, but it’s second nature to people who grew up online. Value isn’t only measured in return on capital. It’s also about meaning, relevance, and participation. Acknowledging Risks, Yet Advancing Forward Like any nascent market, there are risks. Volatility, fraud, and speculation are all part of the landscape. Not all platforms are equal, and not every project is built to last. But that doesn’t mean the space isn’t evolving. We’re seeing real progress in areas like custody, compliance, authentication, and regulation. Professional infrastructure is starting to support these markets in a more serious way. It’s easy to focus on the noise, but beneath it is a clear signal. There is genuine demand for assets that blend scarcity, utility, and cultural relevance. That demand is unlikely to fade anytime soon. Traditional Finance’s Role in a Changing Market At VanEck, we see this trend as an opportunity, not a challenge. Potentially in the future, it could be interesting to help connect investors to the assets and strategies they care about, with the same level of trust and infrastructure they’ve come to expect from traditional financial markets. There’s a generation coming up that wants access to scarce, verifiable, globally tradable assets. They want ownership models that reflect how they live, communicate, and build. They are not abandoning the financial system. They’re just choosing to engage with it on their terms. That’s why we’ve begun experimenting in this space ourselves: SegMint: Originally launched as a collectibles marketplace, SegMint is now being developed into a backend infrastructure project designed to power the tokenization, authentication, and trading of real-world collectibles. Social Collectibles App (coming early 2026): On the consumer side, we’re building a social-first platform where collectors can scan, showcase, and trade their items more seamlessly — with digital binders, trade matching, and community features that make collecting more connected and rewarding. By building bridges between established frameworks and new asset classes, we can support a broader, more inclusive definition of investing — one that reflects the full spectrum of value in a changing world. Important Disclosures This is a marketing communication. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Please note that the availability of the services mentioned may vary by country. This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck/SegMint does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck/SegMint or its other employees. An investment in a cryptocurrency exchange-traded product (“ETP”) or other digital asset investment vehicle is subject to significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of digital assets, including but not limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, is highly volatile and you can lose your entire principal investment. Cryptocurrency ETPs are not registered investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and therefore are not subject to the same regulatory protections afforded to mutual funds or ETFs registered under the 1940 Act. Risk Factors associated with the use of SegMint There are specific risks associated with the use of SegMint. There are risks associated with acquiring NFTs or Keys from or via SegMint. To buy NFTs or Keys involves special risks, including very high volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. You could potentially lose all your NFTs and Keys in your SegMint wallet. The technology used by SegMint is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; loss or destruction of key(s) to access wallets or the blockchain; reliance on wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Web3 Companies include but are not limited to, companies that involve the development, innovation, and/or utilization of blockchain, digital assets, or crypto technologies. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of SegMint. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. © SegMint © Van Eck Associates Corporation Original Post Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.
