D.C. residents turning to cryptocurrency, high-risk financial options as residents experience elevated costs

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 10, 2026 – More than a third of adults in Washington, D.C,. have become more risk-averse with their finances over the past year due to uncertainties with markets, the economy, jobs and more. This is lower than the national average where 44% of adults in the United States have reacted similarly with their finances.

Northwestern Mutual’s newly released 2026 Planning & Progress Study revealed:

• 23% of those in Washington, D.C. said they are currently investing in – or considering investing in – crypto over the next 12 months. This is in line with the national average (24%), while San Francisco and Dallas, in terms of markets in the study, have the highest percentage of those who are taking a similar financial approach with cryptocurrency.
• Additionally, 17% of those surveyed in Washington, D.C. are – or will be – partaking in sports betting / prediction markets as part of their finances, along with 10% investing in options and 10% in meme stocks.

Among those in Washington, D.C., who are going in the direction of high-risk/speculative assets, 76% say that they are doing so because they feel financially behind and believe these investments will help them reach their financial goals more effectively than traditional methods.

Open to taking job risk for potential upside

Of those surveyed in Washington, 34% of respondents shared they would change employer or start a business for that potential upside, aligning with the 33% national average. Throughout the country, more than two-thirds of Americans prefer the consistency and stability of staying with one employer rather than taking the risk of moving around.

When faced with uncertainty or the unknown, Washington, D.C., residents react with anxiety slightly more than the rest of the country (53% compared to 50%). The majority of respondents in the study across the United States shared that they react to those situations with caution (54% overall).

Washington D.C. residents are also feeling the pinch far more than the national average in many key financial areas. Over the past three months, this is the percentage of those in Washington, D.C. who shared that they personally experienced elevated costs for these essentials.

49%

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $780 billion of total assets1 managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $40 billion in revenues, and $2.5 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life insurance, disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 109 on the 2025 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2026.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study results are provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to sell any securities or other financial instruments.

1 Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment assets held or managed for clients.