Binance reports that Nvidia (NVDA) is the most popular first stock purchase for new and smaller investors on their platform, accounting for 20% of all initial trades.
The research focuses on what Binance calls “Next Gen Users” – young (Gen Z) customers in developing countries who have less than $2,000 invested on the platform.
Semiconductor Stocks Dominate the First Trade List
The report shows Micron Technology (MU) in second place, accounting for 8% of holdings. Following behind are Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), and the Nasdaq-100 ETF.
Binance Research observed that most investors focus their stock portfolios on two main sectors: Information Technology and Communication Services, making up about 60% of their holdings. A significant portion – around 26% – is specifically invested in semiconductor companies. This suggests a deliberate strategy centered on benefiting from the growth of artificial intelligence, rather than simply taking random risks.
According to the report, young investors – specifically those considered “Next Gen” – represent 13% of Binance Direct Stocks users. Overall, Generation Z makes up the biggest group using the service, at 44%.
Looking at where people are located shows an interesting trend. Binance Research found that most Gen Z users of traditional finance (TradFi) – around 95% – are in developing countries. All other generations also have over 90% of their users based in these emerging markets.
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Trading Frequency Runs Below Other Cohorts
Binance Research views successful trading as a skill built through practice, not just guesswork. They point to two specific things that back up this idea.
Many people believe new, young investors – especially those using cryptocurrency platforms – tend to make risky, speculative trades. However, recent data suggests the opposite is true. The report consistently shows they actually trade more cautiously.
In my research analyzing platform trading data, I’ve found that ‘Next Gen’ users – typically Gen Z – trade an average of 2.6 times per day. This is a bit lower than other user groups, who average 3.0 trades daily. Interestingly, their use of leverage is comparable; leveraged ETFs make up 5.9% of Gen Z trading volume. For comparison, Baby Boomers show a higher percentage at 8.1%.
Despite challenges, growth has continued. By 2026, Generation Z had already contributed around $80 billion to traditional financial markets, and that number was increasing by almost 24% each month.
2026-07-25 16:26