Forward the Original Title ‘2025 Crypto Asset Holder Survey Report: A Digital Asset Landscape of 55 Million Americans — Who Is Using Crypto?’

The survey shows that crypto holders are a diverse group. People across different age groups and income levels are holding and using cryptocurrency.

In the wave of the digital age, cryptocurrency is rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives. Once seen as a niche domain for speculators and tech enthusiasts, it has now become a significant component of the average person’s investment portfolio. What’s driving this shift? Who is using crypto, and why have they chosen this path?

Breaking Stereotypes: Digital Assets for Everyday People

Commissioned by the National Crypto Association, Harris Poll conducted a large-scale survey in early 2025 of 54,000 Americans, identifying 10,000 crypto holders — the largest study of its kind to date. The findings are striking: crypto has moved beyond its niche and into the mainstream.

The survey reveals that about 21% of U.S. adults — roughly 55 million people — own some form of cryptocurrency. These holders aren’t the stereotypical “crypto bros” or high-risk speculators, but everyday individuals from all walks of life. Some use crypto as an investment tool, others for art and gaming, and many are simply curious about the technology. In fact, many are already using crypto for everyday purchases.

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

Geographic Distribution of Crypto Holders

A Diverse Holder Base

The survey shows that crypto holders are a diverse group. People across different age groups and income levels are holding and using cryptocurrency. While the majority are male (67%), a significant portion—31%—are female.

As expected, the age distribution of crypto holders skews younger, with 67% under the age of 45. However, 15% of holders — nearly 9 million people — are over the age of 55.

They come from various professions—14% from the tech industry and 12% from construction, far surpassing the 7% from both finance and manufacturing, while 6% work in healthcare.

In terms of income, 26% of crypto-holding households earn less than $75,000 annually, showing that crypto isn’t just a game for the wealthy.

Crypto’s low barrier to entry is a key factor in its broad appeal. While 11% of holders own more than $100,000 in crypto assets, the majority hold more modest amounts—55% hold less than $10,000, and 15% hold under $500. This diverse holder base clearly shows that crypto has become a financial tool accessible to all kinds of people.

Using Cryptocurrency in Daily Life

Surprisingly, many people are using cryptocurrency as currency in daily life. In fact, 39% of crypto holders report using it to purchase goods and services, with 96% using it at least once a year. This everyday usage also serves as the initial motivation for many to get into cryptocurrency—27% say they first acquired crypto for online transactions.

Frequency of Cryptocurrency Usage

In addition to shopping, cryptocurrency is used in the following scenarios:

• Buying, selling, or using blockchain NFTs: 32%
• Sending crypto to family members: 31%
• Receiving crypto payments for business: 31%
• Developing systems or products like new cryptocurrencies: 22%
• Acquiring or trading digital collectibles and artwork: 21%
• Participating in decentralized gaming: 20%
• Buying or selling artwork: 17%
• Buying property or real estate via blockchain tokenization: 15%

Looking ahead, crypto holders say that in the next 2 to 3 years, the most interesting use case (52%) will still be investing for financial future. However, some plan to use crypto for transferring money to friends and family, participating in decentralized online games, receiving business payment, and even speeding up and enhancing the accuracy of transactions in large and complex enterprises. These diverse use cases show that cryptocurrency is evolving from a purely investment asset into a practical financial tool.

As one respondent said, “I didn’t realize you could do so many things with cryptocurrency.” This shift in awareness is driving more people to explore the potential of crypto.

Multiple Benefits of Cryptocurrency

Survey results show that cryptocurrency holders generally have an optimistic view of the technology. As many as 76% of respondents say that cryptocurrency has had a positive impact on their lives, with 46% considering the impact to be “very positive.”

Survey results show that cryptocurrency holders generally have an optimistic view of the technology. As many as 76% of respondents say that cryptocurrency has had a positive impact on their lives, with 46% considering the impact to be “very positive.”

These positive effects are mainly reflected in several areas: increasing financial independence (49%), providing learning and personal growth opportunities (45%), offering investment diversification (42%), bringing a sense of achievement from investment returns (44%), and the excitement of participating in innovative fields (45%). For artist Autumn, blockchain technology allows her to record the ownership of her works, automatically allocate revenue, and ensure that every creator receives fair recognition. “Even after I leave this planet, my artwork will still have an impact.”

In addition to personal benefits, respondents also believe that cryptocurrency makes a positive contribution 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 suggest that cryptocurrency has moved beyond being just an investment tool, becoming a potential force for social progress.

Enhancing the Global Financial System

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

How can cryptocurrency better support traditional financial systems?

• Lower transaction costs and fees: 45%
• Enhance transparency and security: 44%
• Increase transaction speed and efficiency: 44%
• Provide an alternative in times of economic instability: 39%
• Diversify financial products and services: 39%
• Provide broader financial inclusion: 34%
• Promote global financial connectivity and collaboration: 33%

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

As one respondent said, “Regulation gives the industry a chance to demonstrate its credibility… but it must be smart regulation, not stifling innovation.”

The Starting Point of the Cryptocurrency Journey

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

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

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

It is worth noting that, despite the high media attention on celebrity endorsements and influencer promotions, their influence on ordinary people seems limited. Only 20% of respondents said these factors affected their decision-making. This suggests that, compared to professional opinions and personal recommendations, the actual impact of celebrity influence in the crypto space may be overstated.

Main Reasons for Acquiring Cryptocurrency:

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

Non-profit worker Max finds that cryptocurrency offers new opportunities for charitable causes: “This is all positive—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 concerns about scams and security in the cryptocurrency industry, the actual incidence of negative experiences is surprisingly low—only 3% of holders report having negative impacts, with fewer 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 an exaggerated effect.

Factors hindering greater participation in cryptocurrency are varied, including concerns about volatility (15%), lack of funds (15%), security concerns (13%), tax implications (10%), insufficient acceptance (9%), and lack of public understanding (8%). These obstacles indicate that the cryptocurrency industry still needs to make more efforts in user education, risk management, and market adoption.

Main concerns:

(Among the 3% who reported at least some negative impact)

• Financial losses due to market volatility: 48%
• Difficulty in 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 related to using or owning cryptocurrency: 29%

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

A Thirst for Knowledge

Although cryptocurrency holders are passionate about the technology, they also admit to a lack of knowledge. 81% of respondents expressed 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. However, they also want to understand fundamental 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 key role. Cryptocurrency holders feel the industry has not effectively communicated everyday use cases, and they want to learn more about what they can do with cryptocurrency. For example, a quarter still want a basic understanding of cryptocurrency, a third want to learn how to use it in daily transactions, and another third are interested in use cases beyond financial transactions.

As a result, they turn to multiple channels for learning. 60% visit YouTube for knowledge, and 40% rely on traditional media like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Among all these, cryptocurrency holders prefer expert commentary over peer insights, with discussions on sites like Discord (22%) and Reddit (33%) being less popular. This suggests that, when it comes to information gathering, professional authoritative voices are valued more than peer experiences. As one respondent said: “I feel there aren’t many educational tools for cryptocurrency, you really need to do your own research.”

Key Areas Where Cryptocurrency Holders Seek More Information?

• Cryptocurrency investment strategies: 47%
• Tax implications of cryptocurrency investment: 39%
• Understanding blockchain technology: 38%
• Security measures to protect cryptocurrency investments: 38%
• Risks and rewards of cryptocurrency investment: 37%
• Avoiding scams 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 various types such as tokens used for smart contracts (ETH), tokens for instant payments (XRP), stablecoins (USDC), Meme coins (DOGE), and decentralized finance platforms (SOL). Surveys show that cryptocurrency holders have broad familiarity with these tokens.

• BTC (Bitcoin): The first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency.
• ETH (Ethereum): Used for transactions and paying fees on the Ethereum network, supporting smart contracts and decentralized applications.
• DOGE (Dogecoin): A cryptocurrency based on a meme, initially a lighthearted joke but later gained active community support.
• USDC: A stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, with its value always maintaining around $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 to the Future: The Path to Cryptocurrency Adoption

As cryptocurrencies continue to integrate into mainstream society, we are witnessing the formation of a more inclusive and diverse group of holders. They are no longer marginalized tech enthusiasts or speculators, but ordinary people from all walks of life who view cryptocurrencies as tools to improve their lives and engage in the future economy.

The value of cryptocurrencies lies not only in their investment potential but also in the innovation and improvements they bring to the financial system. The increased transparency, enhanced transaction efficiency, and expanded financial inclusion are characteristics that cryptocurrency holders highly value.

With the gradual improvement of regulatory frameworks and the deepening of user education, cryptocurrencies are expected to become more widespread in the coming years, becoming an essential part of the global financial system. As the survey reveals, cryptocurrencies are no longer a concept for the future, but an ongoing reality—they are changing the way we interact with money, art, games, and each other.

In this era of evolving digital assets, understanding the real situation of cryptocurrency holders is more important than ever. They are not the stereotypical “crypto brothers,” but ordinary people around us, exploring and shaping a more open and efficient financial future.

Disclaimer:

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