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Cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly mainstream, both in terms of the quantity of users and the diversity of those users, as indicated by a recent report.
While news surrounding Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency has been focused on politics and institutions lately—showing government policies becoming more accommodating, alongside traditional financial tools like ETFs playing a significant role—a new report sheds light on the contrasting perspective of the digital currency.
The National Crypto Alliance’s (NCA) “2025 State of Crypto” report published in May 2025 indicates that the typical image of cryptocurrency in America has shifted from a hoodie-clad tech enthusiast or a suit-wearing Wall Street expert to a construction worker in Oklahoma, an artist in Chicago, a grandmother in Kansas, and 55 million regular Americans utilizing cryptocurrency for shopping, saving, and sending money home. The Harris Poll conducted the study, capturing insights from 10,000 crypto owners out of 54,000 surveyed adults.
The findings reveal unexpectedly wide cryptocurrency adoption across age, gender, income, and occupational categories, challenging the notion that crypto ownership is solely for the blockchain elite.
Crypto is the new standard
“Crypto is accessible to all,” Ali Tager, executive director of the NCA, informed Cointelegraph during an interview at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas.
According to the report, one in five American adults, or 21%, now possesses at least some form of cryptocurrency. The implications for both the industry’s narrative and for policymakers are significant.
Tager mentioned that most cryptocurrency adoption stories don’t revolve around luxury cars and get-rich-quick schemes but rather practical, often transformative applications. This data-driven profile challenges stereotypes and reshapes the crypto discourse around financial inclusion, pragmatic adoption, and a demand for more intelligent regulations.
Many of America’s cryptocurrency owners are already incorporating digital assets into their everyday activities. Approximately 39% of crypto investors in the survey have utilized crypto to pay for goods and services. Of these cryptocurrency spenders, 96% made a purchase at least once a year, with 22% doing so on a weekly basis. Furthermore, 31% indicated they sent crypto to family members as an alternative to conventional remittance methods.
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The primary reason for entering the crypto space is investment, cited by 60% as their main motivation. However, interest in blockchain itself (50%) and practical applications like online shopping (27%) also ranked highly.
“Crypto is no longer merely a trend,” Tager stated. “For many individuals, it’s a more effective means to accomplish their existing tasks, whether that’s shopping, settling bills, or sending funds to relatives.”
NCA report largely coincides with prior industry analysis
Earlier reports from Chainalysis, Messari and a16zcrypto support much of the NCA’s conclusions in its report, at least in terms of general trends. All reports agree that adoption is rising, yet pinning down the precise statistical proportions is consistently challenging.
The NCA’s 55 million owners, based on a Harris Poll of 54,000 adults, appears substantial, but Harris’s online panels may exaggerate adoption figures, particularly given that a 2025 Messari report estimates global active users at 30 million-60 million, suggesting potential speculative inflation.
The NCA’s diverse owners, based on the data from Harris, indicate that 31% of women own cryptocurrency. However, if an online survey was employed, results might skew towards more tech-savvy groups, contrasting with a late 2024 Chainalysis report indicating 70% of US activity stems from elite transfers.
This is not to imply that the growth of female or non-elite adoption is negligible or to dismiss the efforts involved in polling 10,000 cryptocurrency holders nationwide for better statistical grounding. Rather, it suggests that repeatable surveys should be conducted to solidify confidence in the findings of the NCA report.
Cryptocurrency adoption witnesses a demographic shift
The NCA’s report highlights that cryptocurrency ownership is far more varied than commonly portrayed. Though 67% of owners are men, 31% are women, totaling nearly 17 million American women involved with digital assets. In terms of age, 67% of cryptocurrency owners are under 45, yet almost 9 million are over 55, contradicting the narrative that cryptocurrency is solely a domain for the young.
“We heard from a cattle rancher in Kansas utilizing blockchain to trace beef origins, and a single mother in Texas learning to trade crypto for financial independence. These are the essential stories,” Tager expressed. “They’re not pursuing luxury cars; they’re engaging with crypto for genuine, often life-altering reasons.”
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The NCA report accentuates the stated potential for cryptocurrency to level the financial playing field. Approximately 45% of cryptocurrency holders perceive digital assets as a means to promote financial inclusion and reduce poverty, while 38% recognize their role in encouraging technological innovation and sustainable economic practices.
Concerns and challenges in the crypto space
However, despite these figures suggesting a wide-ranging democratization of cryptocurrency, the report’s findings also reveal an underlying tension. 75% of cryptocurrency owners express concerns regarding scams and security, yet only 3% report having experienced fraud themselves.
Reports from Chainalysis concerning cryptocurrency crime reveal that digital asset crimes escalated in 2024 to an estimated $51.3 billion globally. At first glance, this might present a disparity, but further investigation reveals that
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crime magnitude is influenced by significant occurrences like a solitary ransomware payout or a darknet marketplace that handles millions of dollars simultaneously. The majority of cryptocurrency holders do not engage with these high-risk avenues, as reported by the NCA, with 70% possessing under $10,000 in crypto.
Simultaneously, a desire for understanding remains. 81% of cryptocurrency owners wish to expand their knowledge regarding digital assets, including investment tactics, blockchain fundamentals, and taxation considerations.
As Tager observed, “There’s a genuine craving for reliable information, devoid of hype or influencer promotions. Individuals seek the facts about integrating crypto into their daily lives.”
Call for regulation and equilibrium
While cryptocurrency continues to proliferate, Americans are advocating for smarter, clearer guidelines. The NCA report indicates that 64% of cryptocurrency holders back government regulation, and 73% agree it is essential for the United States to lead globally in the crypto sphere. However, 67% worry that overly strict regulations could inhibit the very innovation that makes crypto transformative.
Tager does not perceive these concerns as contradictory. “Effective regulation can validate crypto and safeguard consumers,” she asserted. “It’s about finding equilibrium, establishing clarity and trust without constraining the promise of open financial systems.”
This situation is currently unfolding in Washington. US President Donald Trump’s forthcoming second term beginning in 2025 has been described as a “watershed” for US crypto policy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advocates pro-crypto policies and legislation.
Senators like Cynthia Lummis have been putting forward Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Bills in Congress, and the US government’s overall actions indicate a promising future for the growth of the crypto industry domestically. With such growth from the sector, the potential for greater acceptance among the American consumer base increases.
This sentiment is reflected throughout the data. 44% of cryptocurrency holders view crypto as a means to enhance transparency and security within traditional financial systems, while another 44% recognize its capability to improve transaction speed and efficiency.
Tager believes this development necessitates a comprehensive reevaluation of crypto’s societal mission. “We were surprised ourselves,” she confessed. “But it makes sense; crypto’s low entry barriers render it accessible in places where conventional finance has faltered. In these overlooked communities, crypto’s ability to democratize access to financial resources becomes tangible.”
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