Crypto is going mainstream in the U.S.—a new survey shows that one in five Americans now holds some form of cryptocurrency. Aaccording to data cited by CryptoSlate, 21% of Americans reported owning digital assets, reflecting growing adoption and optimism about the future of decentralized finance.
The massive study, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the U.S. National Cryptocurrency Association, surveyed an impressive 53,805 participants. That makes it the largest cryptocurrency ownership survey ever carried out in the country. Among those who own crypto, a whopping 76% said it has had a positive impact on their personal lives—whether through financial gains, a sense of empowerment, or simply staying ahead of the tech curve.
When it comes to which assets people are holding, it’s no surprise that the big names lead the pack. The top holdings include $BTC (Bitcoin), $ETH (Ethereum), $XRP (Ripple), and $SOL (Solana)—each representing a different slice of the blockchain ecosystem, from decentralized finance to smart contracts and faster global transactions.
Diving into the demographics, the numbers show that younger people are leading the way. A solid 67% of crypto holders are under the age of 45, showing how much Millennials and Gen Z are embracing the digital asset revolution. Meanwhile, 15% of holders are aged 55 and older, proving that even older generations are starting to explore the crypto space.
As for gender, 67% of crypto investors identify as male, while 31% are female—a gap, but one that’s slowly narrowing as crypto education and access continue to improve across the board.
This data paints a clear picture: crypto is no longer a niche investment—it’s becoming a part of everyday financial life for millions of Americans. As more people discover its potential benefits, from investing opportunities to innovative use cases, the positive momentum around crypto adoption is likely to continue growing.
Whether you’re already in or still watching from the sidelines, there’s no denying that the crypto conversation is louder—and more mainstream—than ever.
