Men flip, women plan? The truth about gender stereotypes in finance

Yuhman 10 min read
Beginner
Invest

Who’s the real risk taker in 2026?

 

Here’s a fact about Switzerland that sadly surprises no one anymore: women still earn around 19% less than men on average, and nearly half of that pay gap cannot be explained by job type, experience, or qualifications (Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 2024).

 

While the gender pay gap has become almost expected at this point, the investing story takes a very different turn. Men still trade more frequently and with larger volumes, but women demonstrate steadier habits, greater diversification, and a stronger long-term mindset. The unexpected twist is that the group catching up fastest isn’t Gen Z, but older generations who are closing the gap with men and redefining what ‘risk-taking’ means today. The gender gap in finance isn’t gone, but the rules are being rewritten as we speak.

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Numbers don’t lie, but they’re telling a different story now

For those who think that stereotypes about money died with flip phones: Sorry to disappoint you, but men and women still don’t handle money in the same way. Despite all the hype surrounding cryptocurrency, not to mention the wide availability of information and investing apps, the gender gap remains. However, things are changing, and this is where the story takes a dramatic turn.

The investing battle of the sexes: Who wins?

Money has always come with predictable labels: men are the daredevils and women are the cautious planners. With fintech making investing accessible to all, you might expect these clichés to finally fade. Unfortunately, greater accessibility doesn’t magically rewrite old habits. So we analysed Yuh’s data from 2024 up to now to find out what’s really happening in Switzerland. Surprisingly, the picture is far more nuanced and interesting than the stereotypes we grew up with.

Securities: Men trade more, women trade smarter

Let’s start with classic stocks and ETFs. Men are still the more active traders, full stop. Over the past year, 15.1% of men made at least one security trade per month, compared with 11.1% of women.

Men are essentially the hyperactive day traders of the group. They jump in almost twice as often and move more than double the monthly volume. They’re also much quicker to sell, which suggests lower risk aversion, greater excitement for short-term moves and a comfort zone that leans heavily into speculative territory.
 
Women trade less frequently, but much more consistently. Around 20% of their buying comes from recurring investments (compared to 14% for men), which means: ‘I’ve got a plan, and I’m sticking to it.’ Their approach is steadier, calmer and far more goal-oriented.

Put simply, men react to the waves; women build the ship. These are two different but valid ways of dealing with uncertainty.

Crypto: Where the gap gets wider

Both men and women play in the crypto sandbox, but their approaches could not be more different.
 
Out of every 100 Yuhsers, around 8.7 men made at least one crypto trade each month last year, compared to 4.7 women. Once they’re in, men go full throttle: they make three times more trades (0.86 vs. 0.27) and trade in much larger volumes (473 CHF vs. 147 CHF).
 
Their behaviour screams, ‘I’m here for the action.’ They react quickly to price movements and are happy to dabble in everything from the classics, such as Bitcoin, to the more adventurous altcoins, such as Hedera or Cardano.
 
Women take a different path. They trade less often and in smaller amounts, but their decisions are more considered. Their portfolios lean heavily towards the solid trio of Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP. They clearly choose stability over the adrenaline rush.
 
So, yes, both groups are in the crypto economy. However, while men sprint towards opportunity, women pick their spots carefully and keep short-term volatility in check.
 

Risk profiles: concentration vs. diversification

Men fill 83% of their top 10 holdings with crypto, leaving only 13% for stocks or ETFs. That’s not diversification; it’s a moon-shot attitude involving high volatility and big swings with minimal comfort levels.
 
Women? They’re still big on crypto (66.5% of their top 10), but their portfolios are much more balanced. The rest is spread across ETFs, dividend funds and a little gold. In other words, they’re innovating with airbags.

Opposite sexes tackle risk in totally different ways. Men often go for those sharp, high-octane wins, while women prefer to spread things out and prioritise stability. There is no right or wrong way; it’s about two individual philosophies of dealing with uncertainty, each with its own kind of genius.

The generational plot twist nobody saw coming

You might think that Gen Z and Millennials, who are fluent in technology, live online and set trends before breakfast, would be the ones to shake up the gender investing gap. But they’re not. Our data proves otherwise.

Crypto participation

The real crypto champs are Gen X (aged around 41–55). They’re not just experimenting; they’re leading in both the number of trades and the total trading volume. For them, crypto isn’t a side-quest; it’s part of their actual investment strategy.
 
And Gen Z? The generation that was expected to embrace digital finance wholeheartedly?
 
They’re the least active of all age groups. They make fewer trades, in smaller volumes, and they are noticeably hesitant to commit to crypto. Even Bitcoin, the unofficial entry ticket to the digital economy, only comes third among 26–30-year-olds. Every older generation ranks it at the top.
 
This reversal shows that being tech-savvy doesn’t automatically make you confident with money. Sometimes, experience, stability and watching the markets fluctuate over a number of years matter more than knowing how to swipe through five apps at once.
 
So, while younger generations may talk more about cryptocurrency, it is the older crowd who are actually hitting the ‘buy’ button.

Why does the gap still exist?

If investing has become as easy as ordering a pizza and everyone has access to the same tools, why do men and women still behave so differently with money? It turns out that it’s not about access; it’s about experience, culture and confidence.

1. The stories we grow up with

Money isn’t just maths; it’s identity. From early childhood, boys and girls are handed completely different scripts. Boys are encouraged to take risks and be bold, while girls are taught to be cautious and responsible. Even with equal financial education today, those early messages still influence how we make decisions.
 
Cultural norms play a significant role here, sometimes more so than actual income or access. Consequently, women often prioritise security and long-term stability when it comes to money, while men tend to be more focused on competition and performance.

2. The confidence gap

Women aren’t less knowledgeable; they just don’t believe they are. Research repeatedly shows that women rate their financial competence lower than men, even when their skills are equal. When you doubt yourself,
  • you start later,
  • you invest less,
  • you trade less.
However, once women do start investing, they demonstrate steady and consistent habits.

3. Risk perception

It’s all about mindset: Men see risk as an opportunity. Women, on the other hand, see risk as something to manage over the long term. Both approaches are valid, but they result in different portfolios. Women’s portfolios tend to be more resilient and balanced, often comprising a mix of digital assets, ETFs, dividend funds and gold. Men’s portfolios, on the other hand, tend to be more concentrated in high-volatility assets such as altcoins or individual stocks.

4. Behavioural biases

Women tend to trade and check their portfolios less frequently and make fewer short-term adjustments. Men, meanwhile, are more active traders who react quickly to market shifts and adjust their positions more frequently. However, activity does not always translate into better results. Sometimes, women’s caution can be an advantage, providing steadier hands, fewer emotional decisions and portfolios that stay on track through market ups and downs.

From intention to action

Data makes one thing pretty clear: gender patterns in investing are still prevalent, but they’re not set in stone. Men still invest and trade more often, while women still tend to diversify slightly more. If you look more closely, you can sense the shift happening.
 
Women’s investment portfolios are becoming more precise and sophisticated, and older generations are showing that it’s never too late to build confidence and take control. Change is happening, just not overnight. And that’s perfectly OK.
 
If you’re a woman or part of the younger generation, here’s the honest truth: you don’t need to be rich, fearless or fully prepared to start investing. You just need to start. Even putting aside a couple of francs regularly beats waiting for some mythical perfect moment. ETFs, stocks, cryptocurrency — whatever suits you — making your money work is one of the best defences you have against inflation and future stress. The important thing is to show up, learn, try things out, experiment, and figure out what works for you.
 
That’s where the real power starts.
Money isn’t just maths; it’s identity. From early childhood, boys and girls are handed completely different scripts.
Yuh’s tip: find a strategy that fits you
 
The good news is that you don’t need a financial degree or a lot of money to get started, and Yuh makes the whole process incredibly simple.
 
Want to build momentum over time? Set up a recurring investment in ETFs or your favourite coins right in the app.
 
Prefer chasing momentum? Explore fractional shares, crypto and diversified instruments without overcommitting your budget.
 
And if you’re somewhere in between? Perfect! Use Yuh to browse, compare and observe how things behave. Get familiar. Take small steps. Add more when you feel ready.
 
Your investment style doesn’t have to match your gender, generation or anyone else’s expectations. It just has to match your goals.

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Still got questions?

What is the investment gap between men and women in Switzerland?

By 2026, the gap has persisted but evolved. While men make 87% more transactions per month, women prioritise consistency, with 20% using recurring investments (compared to 14% of men). The average gender pay gap in Switzerland remains at 19%, which has a direct impact on initial investment capacity.

Who takes more risks with cryptocurrencies?

Data shows that men are more active and speculative, with a transaction volume three times higher. However, women adopt a more prudent diversification strategy, focusing their assets on the reliable trio (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP) while balancing their portfolios with gold and ETFs.

Which generation invests the most in 2026?

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t Gen Z leading the charge. It’s actually Generation X (ages 41–55) that takes the top spot, showing the highest trading volumes and the most stable management of digital assets. This proves that experience and financial stability often outweigh mere tech-savviness.

Why do women invest differently to men?

Differences in financial behaviour are not innate; they are often linked to upbringing, risk perception and a historical lack of self-confidence. Women tend to view investing as a long-term security tool, whereas men often see it as an opportunity for immediate performance and competition.

How can I start investing without taking too much risk?

Baby steps are key. Using tools such as recurring investments in fractional shares or ETFs can help mitigate the risk of volatility. With Yuh, you can automate your investments and develop a robust strategy, regardless of your initial capital.

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