How many Americans used crypto in 2025?

About 10% of US adults said they used or invested in crypto in 2025, according to a new Federal Reserve report. That marks the highest adoption level since 2022, although it remains below the 12% peak recorded during the 2021 crypto bull market.

Why is rising US crypto adoption important for investors?

Higher adoption suggests crypto is becoming more mainstream among both retail users and businesses. Rising participation can support long-term demand for assets like Bitcoin and stablecoins, especially if more companies integrate crypto payments.

Are Americans mainly using crypto for investing or payments?

Most Americans using crypto still treat it primarily as an investment rather than a payment tool. The Fed found 9% used crypto for investing, while only 2% used it for payments and 1% used it for sending money to friends or family.

Why are some businesses preferring crypto payments?

More than 25% of crypto payment users said businesses preferred digital asset payments because of faster settlement speeds, lower costs and greater privacy. These advantages are especially relevant for online commerce and international transactions.

Which companies are pushing Bitcoin payments in the US?

Block and Lightspark are among the companies expanding Bitcoin and stablecoin payment infrastructure. Their goal is to make crypto payments easier for merchants and consumers to use in everyday transactions.

Why is crypto adoption higher among unbanked Americans?

The Fed report found 6% of unbanked Americans used crypto for transactions compared with 2% of banked adults. Crypto can provide an alternative financial system for people with limited access to traditional banking services.

Is this bullish for Bitcoin and crypto markets?

The data could be viewed as moderately bullish because growing adoption may support broader crypto demand over time. However, adoption alone does not guarantee higher prices, as markets still depend on liquidity, regulation and investor sentiment.

What does Kevin Warsh’s appointment mean for crypto?

Incoming Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh has previously compared Bitcoin to gold for younger investors. Some market participants believe his views could signal a less hostile stance toward crypto compared with former chair Jerome Powell, although monetary policy remains the Fed’s main priority.

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Fed report shows US crypto adoption rebounds

Written by Liezl GambePublished May 19, 2026, 6:30 AM

About 10% of US adults used or invested in crypto in 2025, marking the highest adoption level in three years, according to a new report from Federal Reserve on household economic well-being.

The Federal Reserve report, published Wednesday, showed crypto usage increased from 2023 and 2024 levels, although it remained below the 12% peak recorded in 2021 during the previous crypto bull market.

Around 9% of respondents said they used crypto primarily as an investment, while 2% used digital assets for payments and 1% used them to send money to friends or family members.

The report highlighted stronger crypto usage among unbanked Americans, with 6% of unbanked adults using crypto for transactions compared with 2% of banked respondents, as roughly 6% of Americans remained outside the traditional banking system in 2025.

More than one-quarter of respondents who used crypto for payments said businesses preferred receiving payment in digital assets due to advantages including lower costs, faster settlement speeds and greater privacy.

The findings come as several financial technology firms, including Block and Bitcoin infrastructure startup Lightspark, continue pushing Bitcoin and stablecoin payments deeper into mainstream commerce across the United States.

The report also coincided with leadership changes at the Federal Reserve after Jerome Powell’s term ended and incoming chair Kevin Warsh, who has previously compared Bitcoin to gold for younger investors, was confirmed by the Senate.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $76,921.69.