Debt & Savings

Gen Z’s ‘Financial Nihilism’ Finds Outlet in Prediction Bets, Crypto

Being financially “behind” is fueling moves into higher-risk and speculative assets as a way to catch up, according to a survey.

The Polysights analytics platform website Sports page for Polymarket traders arranged on a smartphone in New York.

Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg

Younger savers are playing a dangerous game.

Many young adults who feel behind financially are looking to high-risk, speculative areas such as prediction markets, sports betting and crypto to reach financial goals faster, according to an annual Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress study released Monday.