APPG Co-Chair Calls for Better Financial Education on Crypto and Digital Assets for Young People
APPG Co-Chair Gurinder Singh Josan CBE MP has called for greater financial education on crypto and digital assets in schools, warning that young people should not be left to learn about new forms of finance from social media and online influencers.
In a recent article for Politics.co.uk, Gurinder warned that financial education is failing to keep pace with the growing use of digital assets, leaving young people without the knowledge they need to understand how they work and the risks involved.
Gurinder cited research by the GSR Foundation and the London Foundation for Banking and Finance (LFBF), which found that while 80% of young people have heard of digital assets, fewer than a quarter (23%) are confident they understand how they work. The findings also show that young people want to learn about digital assets in schools, rather than relying on social media for information.
Gurinder said “The research shows that young people are clear about how they want to learn this: in school, from trusted experts and not from influencers, not from social media, not left to figure it out on their own.”
However, he warned that the current school curriculum is failing to address digital assets, despite their increasing use. Calling for greater action, Gurinder said “Financial education must keep pace with innovation. Cryptocurrency and other emerging products should be addressed head-on, with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups, closing inequalities, and giving young people what they need to make informed decisions.”
He also stressed that improving education is not about encouraging young people to invest in crypto, but making sure they understand both the opportunities and risks.
Gurinder pledged to continue making the case through the APPG for digital assets to be treated as “a genuine financial education priority”, emphasising that the aim is “not to push young people toward speculation, but to make sure no one is left to navigate this landscape without the tools to do so safely.”
APPG priorities going forward
With the UK’s new regulatory regime for crypto and digital assets coming into force in October 2027, the APPG is continuing its work examining the future regulation of the sector.
As part of this work, improving financial education for young people will also be a priority for the APPG going forward, with a focus on ensuring that young people have the skills and knowledge needed to understand digital assets, recognise the risks and make informed financial decisions in an increasingly digital age.
To find out more about the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG or how to get involved, please visit the APPG page.
