Six Alternative Assets That Can Help You Build Wealth
Diversification has never mattered more in the investment world than it has in 2025, and for good reason. Continued economic uncertainty and hesitation in a wide variety of money markets and stock markets mean that predicting future behaviour has become increasingly difficult. With this in mind, an ever-growing number of savvy investors are moving to more alternative assets to generate income as they increase in value.
To guide you through this key shift, we’ve outlined six of the most notable examples and given some advice on how to make your selection.
Digital Assets
It may seem that everywhere you look online, people are talking about investing in NFTs and cryptocurrencies, but why is that? There is a feeling amongst certain quarters that they represent the future of commerce and will one day support large sections of the global economy.
There are stories of lucrative returns and explosive increases in value, but much of the market is volatile, and there have been high-profile examples of collapses and fraudulent activity. While interesting to many, digital assets of this nature remain an option mainly for those who are willing to push their risk exposure.
Cask Whisky
Many people with a passion for this timeless spirit find that they can begin to achieve their goal of building wealth by taking a strategic approach to investment. The key is to find the expertise and infrastructure that makes it possible.
“The market really works on long-term holds. You really want to be thinking 10 years or longer,” says Alphie Valentine, Co-founder of Hackstons, the whisky specialists who provide opportunities for investment and consumption.
In other words, cask whisky is by no means a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you’re able to hold onto your investment for a longer-term period, there’s the potential for promising returns.
Hackstons can provide guidance on which casks to invest in, provide a Delivery Order so you can verify ownership, and offer tours of specialist storage facilities so that you can enjoy a more experiential investment journey.
Intellectual Property Whether it be licensing a product design for use by other companies in exchange for a royalty, or selling courses that share your specialist knowledge, IP is a proven asset. The problem here is that it is not something anybody can get into the moment they want to make an investment and start generating passive income. You need to have a track record and a body of work in a particular field, which therefore creates a high barrier to entry.
Pop Culture Collectibles
Sports memorabilia, trading cards, and props from movies are all examples of collectibles that will tend to increase in value over time. They tend to be collected by people with a passion for them first and foremost, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
Just as with the cask whisky example, it’s important that you don’t let your heart lead your head, but this can be easier said than done. While companies like Hackstons will guide you through the world of whisky, similar services are much harder to come by when it comes to collectibles.
Art and Antiques
Art and antiques are collectibles in the sense that you can build up a collection that you both enjoy and use to create income if you choose to sell later on. While many people derive a great deal of enjoyment from owning rare items and famous pieces, there are a number of cautionary tales out there. The most sought-after pieces will have been copied thousands of times, with many of the imitations being impossible to identify for all but an expert eye.
Fractional Real Estate
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for real estate investors to invest in multiple properties, each on a fractional basis. This is particularly true of the world of HMOs, where investors are looking to diversify their portfolios by investing in a range of different sites and locations. The potential downside of this approach is the complications that can arise in terms of running and managing the properties if the contracts to do so have not been clearly defined.
Finding The Right Balance
There are pros and cons of any type of investment, but it’s finding a good balance that really matters. Assessing the options above, it’s clear that cask whisky is perhaps one of the most attractive due to the supply and demand nature of the market, its status as a passion investment for many, and the way in which companies like Hackstons can provide guidance and support throughout the process.
If you look at Hackstons on LinkedIn, you will see educational content, their fully transparent approach, and a clear willingness to meet in person, all of which provide the reassurance and peace of mind that investors need when considering alternative and perhaps more unconventional assets.
Final Thoughts
Investing in something you are passionate about can be enjoyable and lucrative, but you need to make sure you are not led by your heart. Hackstons ensure that this is not the case if you choose the cask whisky route, and connecting with their experts could be your next port of call.