Russian households allocate their savings across several asset classes, with 45 percent in the stock market, 30 percent in real estate, 15 percent in cryptocurrency, and 10 percent in precious metals. A financial advisor connected to the country’s central banking system explained these allocations as a snapshot of current investor behavior, based on client portfolios.
Before the recent upheavals, the mix looked different: roughly 70 percent in equities, 25 percent in real estate, and 5 percent in cryptocurrency. This shift reflects how quickly risk sentiment and access to markets can change when macro conditions swing and regulatory controls tighten. The advisor noted that the upbeat period for the securities market, driven by the rapid growth of large public companies, fostered confidence and stable investment paths through the late data era.
The onset of the conflict and related market restrictions altered investor decisions dramatically. Some market players faced restricted access to foreign securities, while others sought to preserve capital by pivoting away from stocks to other instruments. As a result, a broad diversification movement emerged, with households turning toward gold, currency holdings, real estate, and digital assets as alternative stores of value, alongside continued interest in cryptocurrencies under evolving regulatory conditions. In short, risk management and control over portfolios became the central theme guiding portfolio rebalancing.
Interest rate developments also played a major role. The central bank raised the policy rate substantially, prompting banks to push deposit rates higher and expand affordable loan programs, including mortgage options. The ripple effect was a notable uptick in demand for information about savings products and deposit opportunities, as households reassessed cost of living and long-term financial plans in light of higher borrowing costs.
These dynamics illustrate how changes in monetary policy, capital controls, and market access can reshape how people save and invest. In periods of uncertainty, diversification becomes a practical strategy to reduce risk and preserve purchasing power. The evolving environment continues to influence choices around liquidity, risk tolerance, and the balance between growth opportunities and capital preservation.