Stock and bond investing isn't exclusive anymore. Think about it—U.S. household participation in equities and fixed income has been climbing steadily for the past few decades. What's changed? The barrier to entry keeps shrinking. Trading used to feel niche; now it's woven into everyday finance. More retail players entering the game, portfolio access democratizing, the whole landscape shifting. Official market data tells the story clearly: the base of market participants just keeps growing. Whether it's individual investors dabbling or institutions reshuffling, participation expansion is reshaping how we think about asset markets.