Original text: National Cryptocurrency Association

Translation: Yuliya, PANews

In the wave of the digital age, cryptocurrency is rapidly integrating into our daily lives. Once regarded as a mysterious realm exclusive to speculators and tech geeks, it has now become an important part of the average person's investment portfolio. What exactly is driving this transformation? Who is using cryptocurrency? Why are they choosing this path?

Breaking Stereotypes: The Digital Assets of Ordinary People

The National Cryptocurrency Association commissioned Harris Poll to conduct a large-scale survey of 54,000 Americans in early 2025, identifying 10,000 cryptocurrency holders, making it the largest survey of cryptocurrency users to date. The results are surprising—cryptocurrency has moved out of niche circles and into mainstream society.

The survey shows that about 21% of American adults—equivalent to 55 million people—own some form of cryptocurrency. These holders are not the stereotypical "crypto bros" or adventurous speculators, but ordinary people from various walks of life. Some use cryptocurrency as an investment tool, others for art and gaming, and many simply try this new technology out of curiosity. Additionally, many are already using cryptocurrency for everyday shopping.

• 1 in 5 Americans own cryptocurrency
• 39% of holders use cryptocurrency to pay for goods and services
• 76% say cryptocurrency has a positive impact on their lives

Regional Distribution of Cryptocurrency Holders

A Diverse Group of Holders

The survey shows that cryptocurrency holders are a diverse group. People of different ages and income levels are holding and using cryptocurrency. While male holders are more prevalent (67%), female holders (31%) are also significant.

Unsurprisingly, the age structure of holders skews younger, with 67% of cryptocurrency holders under the age of 45. However, 15% of holders—nearly 9 million—are over 55 years old.

They work in various professions, with 14% from the tech industry, 12% from construction, far exceeding the 7% from finance and manufacturing, and 6% from the healthcare industry.

In terms of income levels, 26% of cryptocurrency-holding households have an annual income below $75,000, indicating that this is not an exclusive game for the wealthy.

The low barrier to entry of cryptocurrency is a key factor attracting a wide audience. While 11% of holders have over $100,000 in crypto assets, most hold relatively moderate amounts—55% hold less than $10,000, and 15% hold even less than $500. This diverse composition of holders clearly indicates that cryptocurrency has become a financial tool accessible to various groups.

Using Cryptocurrency in Daily Life

The survey reveals that surprisingly, many people are using cryptocurrency as a currency. In fact, 39% of cryptocurrency holders report using it to purchase goods and services, with 96% using it at least once a year. This everyday application is also the motivation for many people's first encounter with cryptocurrency, as 27% say they initially acquired cryptocurrency for online transactions.

Frequency of Cryptocurrency Use

In addition to shopping, cryptocurrency can also be used in the following scenarios:

• Buying, selling, or using blockchain NFTs: 32%
• Sending cryptocurrency to family: 31%
• Accepting cryptocurrency for business payments: 31%
• Developing systems or products, such as new cryptocurrencies: 22%
• Acquiring or trading digital collectibles and artworks: 21%
• Participating in decentralized games: 20%
• Buying or selling artworks: 17%
• Purchasing real estate or property through blockchain tokenization: 15%

Looking ahead, cryptocurrency holders express that their primary interest in the next 2 to 3 years (52%) remains investing for financial futures. However, some plan to use cryptocurrency to transfer money to friends and family, participate in decentralized online games, accept payments for business transactions, and even enhance the speed and accuracy of transactions for enterprises (i.e., large-scale and complex businesses). These diverse applications indicate that cryptocurrency is transitioning from a purely investment asset to a practical financial tool.

As one respondent stated, "I didn't realize you could do so many things with cryptocurrency." This shift in perception is driving more people to explore the potential of cryptocurrency.

The Multiple Benefits of Cryptocurrency

The survey results show that cryptocurrency holders generally hold an optimistic view of this technology. As many as 76% of respondents say cryptocurrency has a positive impact on their lives, with 46% believing the impact is "very positive."

The positive impacts are primarily reflected in several areas: increased financial independence (49%), opportunities for learning and personal growth (45%), investment diversification (42%), a sense of achievement from investment returns (44%), and excitement from participating in innovative fields (45%). For artist Autumn, blockchain technology allows her to record ownership of her works, automatically distribute earnings, and ensure fair recognition for every creator, stating, "Even after I leave this planet, my art will still have an impact."

In addition to personal benefits, respondents also believe that cryptocurrency contributes positively to society as a whole, including promoting financial inclusion (45%), enhancing digital transactions (45%), driving technological innovation (38%), supporting sustainable economic practices (38%), and facilitating international trade and cooperation (33%). These perceptions indicate that cryptocurrency has transcended being merely an investment tool and is becoming a potential force for social progress.

Enhancing the Global Financial System

Cryptocurrency holders generally believe that this technology can complement traditional financial systems. 76% of respondents say their trust in cryptocurrency is equal to or greater than that in traditional banking institutions. They see the potential of cryptocurrency in reducing transaction costs (45%), increasing transaction speed (44%), and enhancing transparency (44%).

How can cryptocurrency better support traditional financial systems?

• Reducing transaction costs and fees: 45%
• Enhancing transparency and security: 44%
• Increasing transaction speed and efficiency: 44%
• Providing alternatives during economic instability: 39%
• Diversifying financial products and services: 39%
• Offering broader financial inclusion: 34%
• Promoting global financial connectivity and collaboration: 33%

Regarding the future development of cryptocurrency in the U.S., respondents show strong support and expectations. 73% hope the U.S. will become a leader in the global cryptocurrency space, while 64% believe government regulation is important. However, 67% are also concerned that excessive regulation could stifle innovation. This balanced perspective indicates that cryptocurrency holders want to see a regulatory framework that protects consumers while promoting innovation.

As one respondent put it, "Regulation gives the industry a chance to demonstrate its credibility… but it must be smart regulation that does not stifle innovation."

The Starting Point of the Cryptocurrency Journey

Every cryptocurrency holder has their unique entry story. The survey shows that 56% acquired cryptocurrency between 2020 and 2025, with investment purposes (60%) and curiosity about the technology (50%) being the main motivations for considering cryptocurrency. However, the factors that truly prompted people to make their first purchase of cryptocurrency are often more personal—recommendations from friends and family (43%) are the biggest trigger, followed by interest in blockchain technology (38%) and financial news or market trends (36%).

What triggered the decision to acquire cryptocurrency for the first time?

• Discussions or use of cryptocurrency by family or friends: 43%
• Interest or developments in blockchain and cryptocurrency technology: 38%
• Financial news or market trends: 36%
• Economic events (such as inflation, financial crises): 27%
• Peer influence or social norms (cultural shift towards digital currency): 23%
• Recommendations or endorsements from financial advisors or experts: 23%
• Marketing campaigns or promotions from cryptocurrency companies: 22%
• Educational content (articles, tutorials, courses): 20%
• Endorsements by influencers or celebrity investments in cryptocurrency: 20%
• Political events or changes (such as elections, regulatory shifts): 15%

It is worth noting that despite the significant media attention on celebrity endorsements and influencer promotions, their influence on ordinary people seems limited, with only 20% of respondents indicating that these factors affect their decision-making. This suggests that the actual impact of celebrity effects in the cryptocurrency space may be overestimated compared to professional opinions and personal recommendations.

Main Reasons for Acquiring Cryptocurrency:

• Investment purposes: 60%
• Curiosity about the technology: 50%
• Recommendations from family and friends: 36%
• Conducting online transactions: 27%
• Influence from social media or celebrities/influencers: 21%

Nonprofit worker Max finds that cryptocurrency brings new opportunities for charitable causes: "It's all benefits—more transparency, more accessibility—but most importantly, the ability to tap into this new blockchain movement of crypto donors."

The Gap Between Security Concerns and Actual Experiences

Although 75% of respondents express concern about scams and security in the cryptocurrency industry, the actual incidence of negative experiences is surprisingly low—only 3% of holders report negative impacts, with less than one-third having personally experienced fraud or security breaches. This gap between perception and reality suggests that media coverage of cryptocurrency security risks may have a degree of amplification.

Various factors hinder greater participation in cryptocurrency, including concerns about volatility (15%), lack of funds (15%), security worries (13%), tax implications (10%), insufficient acceptance (9%), and public misunderstanding (8%). These barriers indicate that the cryptocurrency industry still needs to make more efforts in user education, risk management, and market outreach.

Main Concerns:

(Among the 3% of people reporting at least some negative impacts)

• Financial losses due to market volatility: 48%
• Difficulty understanding cryptocurrency technology and markets: 35%
• Stress or anxiety related to managing or tracking investments: 32%
• Negative experiences with fraud or security breaches: 32%
• Regulatory or legal challenges associated with using or owning cryptocurrency: 29%

Content creator Hunter finds that cryptocurrency solves his international payment issues: "I want to collaborate with people, no matter where they are. If you have something good for my project, I want to work with you. I want to pay you." Cryptocurrency allows him to pay editors around the world instantly, keeping the production process seamless.

A Thirst for Knowledge

Despite their enthusiasm for the technology, cryptocurrency holders admit to gaps in their knowledge. 81% of respondents express interest in learning more about cryptocurrency, with 40% following related news daily.

This eagerness to learn spans multiple areas, with nearly half (47%) seeking information on investment strategies, but they also want to know more about foundational issues such as legal and regulatory topics (34%), security measures (38%), blockchain technology (38%), and the tax implications of owning cryptocurrency (39%).

Practicality also plays a significant role, as cryptocurrency holders feel the industry has not effectively communicated everyday uses, and they want to learn more about what can be done with cryptocurrency. For example, 1/4 of respondents still wish to gain a basic understanding of cryptocurrency, while 1/3 want to learn how to use it in daily transactions, and another 1/3 want to explore use cases beyond financial transactions.

As a result, they learn from multiple channels. 60% visit YouTube to enhance their knowledge, while 40% turn to traditional media like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Among all these, cryptocurrency holders prefer expert commentary over peer insights, with discussion threads on sites like Discord (22%) and Reddit (33%) being less popular. This indicates that, in terms of information acquisition, authoritative professional voices are valued more than peer experiences. As one respondent stated, "I feel there aren't many educational tools about cryptocurrency; you really need to do your research."

What areas of cryptocurrency knowledge need more information?

• Investment strategies for cryptocurrency: 47%
• Tax implications of cryptocurrency investments: 39%
• Understanding blockchain technology: 38%
• Security measures to protect cryptocurrency investments: 38%
• Risks and rewards of cryptocurrency investments: 37%
• Fraud prevention and mastering cryptocurrency security practices: 36%

Popularity and Awareness of Major Tokens

Today, thousands of cryptocurrencies have been launched on global blockchains. In addition to well-known names like Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies include a variety of types, from tokens used for smart contracts (ETH), tokens for instant payments (XRP), stablecoins (USDC), meme coins (DOGE), to decentralized finance platforms (SOL). The survey shows that cryptocurrency holders have a broad familiarity with these tokens.

• BTC (Bitcoin): The first and most widely known cryptocurrency.
• ETH (Ethereum): Used for transactions and payment fees on the Ethereum network, supporting smart contracts and decentralized applications.
• DOGE (Dogecoin): A meme-based cryptocurrency that started as a lighthearted joke but later gained active community support.
• USDC: A stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, maintaining a value of $1.
• SOL (Solana): A blockchain platform popular in decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, and payments.
• XRP (Ripple): Designed for fast, low-cost cross-border payments, used by financial institutions.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Cryptocurrency Adoption

As cryptocurrency continues to integrate into mainstream society, we see a more inclusive and diverse group of holders forming. They are no longer marginalized tech enthusiasts or speculators but ordinary people from various industries who view cryptocurrency as a tool for improving their lives and participating in the future economy.

The value of cryptocurrency lies not only in its investment potential but also in the innovation and improvements it brings to the financial system. Enhanced transparency, increased transaction efficiency, and expanded financial inclusion are characteristics that cryptocurrency holders value.

With the gradual improvement of regulatory frameworks and deeper user education, cryptocurrency is expected to become more widespread in the coming years, becoming an indispensable part of the global financial system. As the survey reveals, cryptocurrency is no longer a concept of the future but a present reality—it is changing the way we interact with money, art, games, and each other.

In this evolving era of digital assets, understanding the real situation of cryptocurrency holders is more important than ever. They are not the stereotypical "crypto bros," but ordinary people like you and me, exploring and shaping a more open and efficient financial future.

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