With property prices surging across the country, many young Australians are finding creative ways to break into the housing market. For 23-year-old electrician Mason from the Gold Coast, the answer wasn’t in long hours on the job — it was in cryptocurrency.
The New Way Gen Z Is Building Wealth
Despite earning between $90,000 and $110,000 a year, Mason quickly realised traditional saving methods wouldn’t be enough to reach his goal of homeownership. The median house price on the Gold Coast has soared to $1.32 million, putting it on par with Sydney’s property market.
So, like many young Aussies, Mason turned to the digital world.
After a failed first attempt at crypto investing when he was 18, he re-entered the market at 21, this time taking a more patient and strategic approach. His investments in Arweave and Ripple (XRP) grew significantly — helping him save over $100,000 to use as a house deposit.
“Crypto Was the Only Way”
“Crypto was the only way I could think of to get into the housing market young,” Mason said.
“There’s no way I would’ve been able to save the same amount of money just by working.”
He’s now planning to purchase a $700,000 unit — far above what he could’ve afforded through income alone.
A Growing Trend Among Young Investors
Mason’s story reflects a national shift.
A YouGov survey commissioned by Australian exchange Swyftx found that one in three Gen Z Australians are now investing in digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The report also revealed that:
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82% of Gen Z crypto traders made a profit in the past year.
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Their average profit was around $10,000 — the equivalent of six weeks’ salary.
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Over 1.8 million Gen Z Australians have entered the crypto market in recent years.
Swyftx CEO Jason Titman said soaring real estate prices have driven young people to seek alternative investments.
“There is a feeling among Gen Z investors that if you want to get on the property ladder, you need exposure to more volatile assets,” he explained.
The Risks of a Volatile Market
While Mason’s crypto journey has been successful, he cautions others to do their homework.
“It’s just like stocks — you don’t buy something just because some guy on TikTok told you to,” he said.
“Make sure you do your own research and understand where your money’s going.”