Retail vs. Founders: Where Money’s Flowing Now

The one-minute take

Two fresh reads — Finimize Modern Investor Pulse and HSBC’s Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report — show a clear split: retail investors stick with public stocks (and cautiously explore crypto), while entrepreneurs push deeper into private markets and reinvest in their own companies. That split matters for Ukraine’s capital flow and risk profile.

Where views align

Both cohorts are open to risk assets: stocks and crypto are on the radar, even if conviction differs.
Cash and safe bonds still play a role as shock absorbers during volatility (per Finimize survey context).

Where they diverge (key stats)

Stocks: 67% of retail investors expect global stocks to be higher in 12 months; entrepreneurs are less eager to add to listed equities.
Crypto: 69% of retail investors are bullish on bitcoin, yet only 32% plan to invest — a knowledge/trust gap. Among entrepreneurs, 44% already hold crypto and 27% intend to add.
Private markets: entrepreneurs make it a core game — 46% already invested; 41% plan to add. Retail: 10%invested; 12% plan to allocate — hype meets access and opacity.

Straightforward playbook

Equities: still have room to run as rates ease and AI drives earnings. Use broad US/global ETFs for core exposure; add selective AI names if you must take targeted risk.
Crypto: keep position sizes modest (≈ 1–2% of portfolio to start). Focus on BTC/ETH; expect volatility.
Private markets: real opportunity, real risks — low liquidity, pricing opacity, adverse selection. Only after proper due diligence and with money you can lock up.

Global founder trend that matters to 🇺🇦

HSBC’s 2025 report flags stronger international diversification by entrepreneurs: 59% plan to diversify abroad, 57%consider relocating, 49% plan market expansion. For Ukrainian founders, that means structuring for cross-border capitaland partnerships.

What this could mean for Ukraine (practical lens; USD thinking)