Hoosiers turning to cryptocurrency, high-risk financial options as residents experience elevated costs

INDIANAPOLIS, March 10, 2026 – 43% of adults in Indianapolis have become more risk-averse with their finances over the past year due to uncertainties with markets, the economy, jobs and more. This aligns with the national average, in which 44% of adults in the United States have reacted similarly with their finances.

Despite the increased aversion to risk for many Indianapolis residents, investing in high-risk/speculative assets is fairly prominent in the area – with cryptocurrencies leading the way. Northwestern Mutual’s newly released 2026 Planning & Progress Study also revealed:

• 18% of those in Indianapolis said they are currently investing in – or considering investing in – crypto over the next 12 months.
• Additionally, 17% of those surveyed in Indianapolis are – or will be – partaking in sports betting / prediction markets as part of their finances, along with 10% investing in options and 6% in meme stocks. Each of these figures exceed the national average.

Among those in Indianapolis who are going in the direction of high-risk/speculative assets, 82% 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.

“The Planning & Progress data drives home that people are struggling to keep pace financially and need to turn to speculative assets to catch up,” said Matt Carothers, wealth management advisor with Northwestern Mutual in Indianapolis. “There are multiple ways to achieve your financial goals. Regardless of the path you choose, starting with a financial advisor can help map out a personalized strategy to help navigate your particular situation.”

Open to taking job risk for potential upside

33% of Indianapolis respondents shared they would change employer or start a business for that potential upside. Nationally, 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, Indianapolis residents react with more anxiety than the rest of the country (60% 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).

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

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.