---
title: "Ukrainians in 2026: Cash and Banks Remain the Core of Savings, But Nearly Half Consider Crypto Assets"
description: "An Ipsos study for WhiteBIT (June–July 2026) showed that cash and bank accounts remain Ukrainians' main savings tools, but 44% of financially active citizens consider crypto assets. Only 14% actually invest in crypto, while bank term deposits reached a record 508.7 billion UAH."
date: 2026-10-16T14:50:03.207Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainians-savings-crypto-assets-2026
tags: [ukraine, savings, crypto-assets, banking, investments, ipsos, whitebit, deposits]
author: "Darya Fomina"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainians in 2026: Cash and Banks Remain the Core of Savings, But Nearly Half Consider Crypto Assets

![Male silhouette with wristwatch working on a laptop against the background of Kyiv skyline and Motherland Monument](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/ukraincy-sberezheniya-kriptoaktivy-2026/ukraincy-sberezheniya-kriptoaktivy-2026-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Cash and bank accounts remain the primary savings tools for Ukrainians in 2026
- 44% of financially active citizens consider crypto assets as an investment tool, but only 14% actually use them
- The share of those saving from 3,000 UAH per month rose from 30% to 35%, while food and household spending reached 78%
- Individuals' term deposits in banks reached a record 508.72 billion hryvnias in September 2026

International company Ipsos, commissioned by the WhiteBIT crypto exchange, conducted a study on the investment habits of Ukrainians in June–July 2026. The key takeaway: cash and bank accounts remain the most popular tools for preserving funds, yet crypto assets are already being considered by 44% of financially active citizens who have savings. At the same time, the actual use of digital assets still significantly lags behind the level of interest — only 14% of respondents with savings and investments are currently investing in cryptocurrency.

### Saving Habits Strengthen, But Budgets Under Pressure

The share of Ukrainians who have a source of income and savings or investments remained unchanged over the year at 66%. Meanwhile, the share of those putting aside an average of 3,000 hryvnias or more per month increased from 30% in 2025 to 35% in 2026. At the same time, pressures on family budgets increased — the share of respondents for whom food and household goods are the main expense category rose from 70% to 78%. This indicates that even while maintaining saving habits, real disposable incomes are shrinking under the pressure of inflation and wartime expenditures.

### Income Structure Shifts: Passive and Business Incomes Gain Weight

The structure of respondents' incomes has also changed. The share of those citing salary as their main source of income fell from 79% to 73%. At the same time, the share of respondents receiving passive income from investments rose from 37% to 41%, and those earning from commercial activity or their own business increased from 27% to 32%. Experts attribute this shift to the fact that a portion of the population, previously focused solely on labor income, has begun diversifying their earnings sources amid uncertainty.

### Banks and Cash Are the Foundation, Crypto Is the Growth Tool

Among respondents with savings, cash and banking products remain the most popular tools. Bank deposits, residential real estate, and government securities are associated by respondents with the opportunity to earn passive income. To protect savings during the war, they also consider cash, crypto assets, and bank accounts. Potential significant capital growth is primarily linked by respondents to crypto assets, their own business, and venture investments. For comparison: investments in their own business are considered by 32%, government securities by 27%, commercial real estate or land also by 27%, private company securities by 22%, and venture capital by 11%.

### Cryptocurrency: From Awareness to Real Use

Among all respondents, 32% know about cryptocurrency, compared to 28% in 2025. The share of those who do not rule out using it rose from 17% to 19%. Ukrainians associate digital assets not only with earning opportunities: 64% associate cryptocurrency with passive income, 54% with diversifying savings and investments, 52% as an innovative and promising tool, and 48% as an opportunity to start investing with small capital. However, 59% of respondents believe that working with crypto assets requires special knowledge, which remains one of the barriers to more active use.

### Record Bank Deposits Confirm Conservative Choice

National Bank data, cited by financial analyst Andrii Shevchyshyn, confirms Ukrainians' conservative strategy at the level of real flows. In September 2026, Ukrainians increased term deposits in banks by 4.5 billion hryvnias — the largest quarterly increase. The total amount of individuals' term deposits in hryvnias and foreign currency reached a record 508.72 billion hryvnias. The volume of term deposits increased by 0.9% compared to August and by 38.6% year-on-year. Average rates on long-term deposits rose by 0.2 percentage points to 14.8% per annum. At the same time, the population remains cautious about placing money for a long term, as due to war risks, the ability to quickly access funds is often more important than potential income.

### Risks and Limitations: Why Interest Does Not Equal Safety

Crypto assets remain a risky instrument: their value can fluctuate significantly, and investors can lose their invested funds. Interest in digital assets does not in itself indicate their safety or guaranteed profitability. Thus, cash and banking products retain their status as the basis of Ukrainians' savings, while crypto assets and other investment instruments attract those looking for opportunities to multiply capital. The potential of such investments is accompanied by risks and the need to understand the specifics of the respective assets, which, according to the poll, the majority of respondents acknowledge.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Где украинцы держат сбережения во время войны и куда инвестируют в 2026 году](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/de-ukrayintsi-trimayut-zaoshchadzhennya-pid-1792161790.html) - Primary source. Ipsos/WhiteBIT data for June–July 2026: 66% have savings, 44% consider crypto, 14% actually use it, 32% know about cryptocurrency. All figures are taken directly from the text.
- [Украинцы держат в срочных депозитах рекордные 508,7 млрд грн, но все еще боятся замораживать ...](https://minfin.com.ua/2026/10/15/183627254/) - NBU data for September 2026: term deposits 508.72 billion UAH, growth of 4.5 billion UAH for the month, +38.6% year-on-year, average rate 14.8%. Used to confirm conservative savings strategy.

## FAQ

### What savings tools are most popular among Ukrainians in 2026?

According to the Ipsos study for WhiteBIT, cash and banking products remain the most popular tools. Bank deposits, residential real estate, and government securities are linked to passive income, while cash, crypto assets, and bank accounts are considered for protecting savings during the war.

### How many Ukrainians actually invest in crypto assets?

Among respondents with savings and investments, 44% consider crypto assets a potential investment tool, but only 14% actually use them. About 59% believe that working with crypto assets requires special knowledge.

### What is the volume of term deposits held by Ukrainians in banks?

According to the NBU, in September 2026, the total amount of individuals' term deposits in hryvnias and foreign currency reached a record 508.72 billion hryvnias, increasing by 38.6% year-on-year.

### How has the income structure of Ukrainians changed over 2025–2026?

The share of those citing salary as an income source dropped from 79% to 73%. Simultaneously, the share receiving passive income from investments grew (from 37% to 41%) as did income from commercial activity or own business (from 27% to 32%).