Retail Investment

Definition ∞ Retail investment signifies the participation of individual, non-professional investors in financial markets. These investors typically trade smaller volumes of assets compared to institutional entities and often rely on readily accessible platforms for their transactions. Their collective actions can nonetheless exert considerable influence on market trends. The accessibility of digital assets has broadened the scope for retail participation in novel investment opportunities.
Context ∞ The role of retail investment in the cryptocurrency markets is a subject of continuous observation and analysis, particularly following periods of significant price volatility and market surges. News coverage often scrutinizes the behavior of retail traders, their adoption of new digital assets, and their influence on price discovery. Discussions frequently revolve around the accessibility of investment products for retail participants, the potential for market manipulation, and the effectiveness of investor protection measures within this evolving financial landscape.