Generation Z, Unable to Afford Homes, Is Using Cryptocurrency to Fight "Economic Nihilism"

[BlockBeats] On December 7, an article about the situation of young Americans drew attention. It discussed how Gen Z, faced with the reality of being unable to afford a home, has begun to exhibit a kind of “economic nihilism”—if owning a house is out of reach, then why bother saving money?

This shift in mindset is directly reflected in three behaviors: a sharp decline in the willingness to save, decreased motivation to work, and more funds flowing into high-risk speculative markets like cryptocurrency. The logic is simple—after the traditional “save money-buy a house-stability” path is blocked, young people start seeking outlets that provide stronger immediate feedback. The crypto market happens to fill this psychological gap.

Interestingly, those young people who still believe they’ll “buy a house one day” behave completely differently. They continue to save actively and make long-term plans, because having a goal in itself is the strongest motivator. Whether or not one believes in the future directly determines the choices made today.

The policy recommendations mentioned in the article are actually quite pragmatic: loosening building restrictions, increasing affordable housing supply, and optimizing land use regulations—all standard talking points, but they do address the core issues. However, the more crucial aspect may be financial education: skills like budgeting, risk assessment, and long-term savings planning directly impact whether young people can truly use crypto investment as a tool rather than a last resort.

Soaring housing costs are not just a social issue—they are reshaping an entire generation’s views on wealth and risk preferences. And cryptocurrency is standing right at the center of this emotional outlet.