Risk perception of cryptocurrency investments

Abstract

This master’s thesis investigates differences in risk perception between investing in cryptocurrencies and stocks, as well as some possible explanations for a difference. An online experimental survey was conducted using Amazon Mechanical Turks as participants. The results showed that participants perceive cryptocurrency as riskier than stocks, expect the same returns from cryptocurrencies and stocks, and have higher investment propensity with stocks. Confidence in market returns, owning cryptocurrency, and age do not seem to have an impact on the difference in risk perception between cryptocurrency and stocks.