2025 Cryptocurrency Holders Survey Report
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 enthusiasts, it has now become an important part of ordinary people’s investment portfolios. What exactly is driving this transformation? Who is using cryptocurrency? Why are they choosing this path?
Breaking Stereotypes: 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, confirming 10,000 cryptocurrency holders, making it the largest cryptocurrency user survey to date. The results are surprising—cryptocurrency has emerged from niche circles 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 individuals from various walks of life. Some use cryptocurrency as an investment tool, others for art and gaming, and many simply experiment with 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% report that cryptocurrency has a positive impact on their lives
Diverse Holder Demographics
The survey reveals that cryptocurrency holders are a diverse group. People of different ages and income levels are holding and using cryptocurrency. While male holders make up a larger portion (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 people—are over 55 years old.
They come from various professions, with 14% from the tech industry, 12% from construction, far exceeding the 7% from finance and manufacturing, and 6% from healthcare. In terms of income levels, 26% of cryptocurrency-holding households have an annual income of less than $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 broad audience. While 11% of holders possess more than $100,000 in crypto assets, most hold relatively modest amounts—55% hold less than $10,000, and 15% hold even less than $500. This diverse holder composition clearly indicates that cryptocurrency has become a financial tool accessible to a wide range of people.
Using Cryptocurrency in Daily Life
The survey reveals that surprisingly, many people are using cryptocurrency as currency. In fact, 39% of cryptocurrency holders report using it to buy goods and services, with 96% using it at least once a year. This everyday application is also the motivation for many to first encounter cryptocurrency; 27% say they initially acquired cryptocurrency for online transactions.
In addition to shopping, cryptocurrency can 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 gaming: 20%
- Buying or selling artworks: 17%
- Purchasing real estate through blockchain tokenization: 15%
Looking ahead, cryptocurrency holders indicate that their primary interest in usage over the next 2 to 3 years (52%) remains investing for financial futures. However, some plan to use cryptocurrency to transfer funds to friends and family, participate in decentralized online gaming, accept business transaction payments, and even enhance the speed and accuracy of transactions for enterprises (i.e., large-scale and complex businesses). These diverse application scenarios 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 much 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 indicated that cryptocurrency has a positive impact on their lives, with 46% believing the impact is “very positive.”
The positive impacts are mainly reflected in several aspects: increased financial independence (49%), opportunities for learning and personal growth (45%), diversification of investments (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 document ownership of her works, automatically distribute earnings, and ensure fair recognition for every creator, saying, “Even after I leave this planet, my art will still have an impact.”
In addition to personal benefits, respondents believe 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 to become a potential force for social progress.
Enhancing the Global Financial System
Cryptocurrency holders generally believe that this technology can complement the traditional financial system. Seventy-six percent of respondents stated that their trust in cryptocurrency is equal to or exceeds 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 the traditional financial system?
- 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%
- Facilitating global financial connectivity and collaboration: 33%
Regarding the future development of cryptocurrency in the United States, respondents expressed strong support and expectations. Seventy-three percent hope the U.S. will become a leader in the global cryptocurrency space, while 64% believe government regulation is important. However, 67% also worry 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 doesn’t 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 drive people to make their first purchase of cryptocurrency are often more personalized—the recommendations from friends and family (43%) are the biggest triggers, followed by…
Interest in Blockchain Technology (38%) and Financial News or Market Trends (36%)
What Triggered the Decision to First Acquire Cryptocurrency?
Discussion or use of cryptocurrency by family or friends: 43%
Interest or development 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%
Advice or recommendations from financial advisors or experts: 23%
Marketing campaigns or promotions by cryptocurrency companies: 22%
Educational content (articles, tutorials, courses): 20%
Influencer endorsements or celebrity investments in cryptocurrency: 20%
Political events or changes (such as elections, regulatory changes): 15%
It is noteworthy that despite the media attention on celebrity endorsements and influencer promotions, their influence on the general public appears to be limited, with only 20% of respondents indicating that these factors influenced their decisions. This suggests that compared to professional opinions and personal recommendations, the actual impact of celebrity effects in the cryptocurrency domain may be overestimated.
Main Reasons for Acquiring Cryptocurrency:
Investment purposes: 60%
Curiosity about the technology: 50%
Recommendations from family and friends: 36%
Engaging in online transactions: 27%
Influence from social media or celebrities/influencers: 21%
Max, a nonprofit worker, discovered that cryptocurrency offers new opportunities for charitable causes: “This is all good — more transparency, more accessibility — but most importantly, being able to tap into this new blockchain movement of crypto donors.”
Discrepancy Between Security Concerns and Actual Experiences
Despite 75% of respondents expressing concern about scams and security in the cryptocurrency industry, the proportion of those who actually encountered negative experiences was surprisingly low — only 3% of holders reported 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 certain amplification effects.
Barriers hindering greater participation in cryptocurrency are varied, including concerns about volatility (15%), lack of funds (15%), security worries (13%), tax implications (10%), insufficient acceptance (9%), and inadequate public understanding (8%). These obstacles 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 respondents reporting at least some negative impacts)
- 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 associated with the use or ownership of cryptocurrency: 29%
Content creator Hunter found that cryptocurrency resolved 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 enables him to pay editors worldwide immediately, keeping his production process seamless.
Thirst for Knowledge
Despite the enthusiasm among cryptocurrency holders for 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, but they also want to understand 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 believe the industry has not effectively communicated everyday uses. They want to learn more about what can be done with cryptocurrency. For example, one-quarter still hope to gain a basic understanding of cryptocurrency, while one-third want to learn how to use it in everyday transactions, and another one-third seeks to understand use cases beyond financial transactions.
Thus, they are learning from various channels. 60% visit YouTube to enhance their knowledge, while 40% turn to traditional media outlets 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 favored. This indicates that in information acquisition, the voice of professional authority is 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.”
Areas of Cryptocurrency Knowledge Needing 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 encompass 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 recognized 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 light-hearted joke but later gained active community support.
USDC: A stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, maintaining its value at 1 dollar.
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 cryptocurrencies continue 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 sectors who view cryptocurrency as a tool to improve their lives and participate in the future economy.
The value of cryptocurrency lies not only in its investment potential but also in the innovations and improvements it brings to the financial system. The enhanced transparency, increased transaction efficiency, and broader financial inclusion are characteristics that cryptocurrency holders value.
With the gradual improvement of regulatory frameworks and deeper user education, cryptocurrencies are 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 current reality — it is changing the way we interact with money, art, gaming, 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 bros,” but ordinary people around us who are exploring and shaping a more open and efficient financial future.
This article is collaboratively reprinted from: PANews