Retail investors are individual traders or investors who purchase stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments through brokerage firms, either traditional or online. They typically invest smaller amounts of money compared to institutional investors. In the context of cryptocurrencies and web3, retail investors have gained prominence with the rise of digital currencies and decentralized finance (DeFi), allowing individuals to participate directly in blockchain ecosystems, trade assets, and utilize DeFi platforms for lending, borrowing, and trading without intermediaries.