Young Adults Bet Big: ‘Financial Nihilism’ Fuels Risky Crypto and Stock Trades

A growing number of young adults are turning away from traditional investment paths and embracing what experts call “financial nihilism,” chasing risky bets in crypto, meme stocks, options trading, and even sports betting as the American dream feels increasingly out of reach. Facing steep housing costs, student debt, and a shaky job market, many see high-risk wagers as their only shot at financial security. While these moves have sparked short-term gains and cultural buzz, economists warn they reflect deeper anxieties among Gen Z and millennials, who feel that long-term stability through conventional wealth-building is no longer realistic.