One in Four U.S. Adults Now Use Crypto, According to National Cryptocurrency Association’s 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report

WHY THIS MATTERS: The jump in US crypto ownership to 67 million people, or one in four adults, is more than a simple vanity metric; it signals a fundamental shift in user intent. This mass adoption is fundamentally changing the narrative of digital assets from a niche, speculative investment class to a tool for practical financial use. What matters most is the behavioral change: the report clearly shows holders are moving beyond simply holding to actively utilizing crypto for daily transactions, remittances, and retail purchases. This widespread shift is a direct challenge to legacy financial infrastructure and accelerates the convergence of crypto with traditional banking, a key current trend. For the fintech industry, this data point confirms that the mainstreaming of crypto payments is inevitable. Firms that fail to acknowledge this growing consumer confidence and demand for utility will quickly be left behind as digital currency use becomes normalized.

The National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Americans better understand and use crypto, released its 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report. The second annual report shows continued growth in crypto adoption, with over 67 million Americans now owning crypto, an increase of 12 million from 2025.

The study, conducted with The Harris Poll, surveyed 10,000 U.S. cryptocurrency holders and builds on insights from the NCA’s 2025 State of Crypto Holders Report. This year’s findings show that crypto is becoming a routine part of Americans’ financial lives, from sending money to family and friends to paying for goods and services in-stores and online. As more holders explore the utility of crypto beyond investing, nearly two-thirds (63%) report greater interest in the tool this year compared to 2025.

Beyond national crypto adoption, the NCA has also collected data detailing the number of crypto holders in each state and district.

“Crypto is an increasing part of the lives of everyday Americans who are using it to save, spend, donate, and power their businesses” said Stuart Alderoty, President of the NCA. “Last year we found one in five U.S. adults were holding crypto, and now it’s up to one in four. And they come from all walks of life, spanning regions, genders, incomes, political party lines and beyond.”

The Changing Face of Crypto

New crypto holders are much more diverse than early adopters.

• Gender: Female crypto ownership is on the rise, up 10% since last year. Zooming out further, those who joined the crypto economy in 2025-2026 are more likely to be female (42%) compared to earlier adopters who joined before 2025 (34%).

• Income: Crypto ownership is not concentrated to the wealthiest as 90% of holders make less than $500,000 per year, and nearly a quarter (23%) make $75,000 or less per year.

• Career: Today’s holders are just as likely to work in construction and manufacturing (21%), second only to the combined share of those working in tech and financial services (26%).

• Age: The age distribution also widened at both ends, with more Gen Z, Gen X, Boomer and Silent Generation holders compared to previous years.

Practical Use Cases Are on the Rise

Holders are using their crypto instead of just holding it for investment, with four in ten reporting that they send crypto to family or friends, and pay with crypto for goods and services. They think of crypto simultaneously as an investment, payment method, and a technology. Nearly one in three accept crypto payments for their businesses, buy and sell NFTs, and play games that incorporate crypto. Charitable giving is emerging as a popular use case as well, with 19% of holders making donations via crypto.

Benefits Extend Beyond Finance

By increasingly offering new ways to save, send, and spend with crypto holders are feeling positive about crypto. When asked how crypto makes them feel about their financial lives, 83% said proud, 81% said confident, and 78% said empowered.

Holders report that they trust crypto because of 24/7 accessibility (55%), privacy (43%), financial control (40%), and positive personal experiences (40%). In fact, holders trust crypto (69%) slightly more than they trust traditional banking (65%).

Confidence is Growing

Hands-on experience has improved holders’ perception of, and confidence in, crypto. Three-quarters (75%) see it as proven and reliable, while over two-thirds (69%) see it as established and mature. Within the next year, 90% plan to buy more crypto, 72% plan to spend more crypto, 65% plan to send crypto to friends or family, and 50% plan to donate some crypto.

“Crypto is shifting from novel to normal, especially as it integrates with institutions like retailers and banks,” said Ali Tager, VP of External Affairs at NCA. “Two-thirds (63%) of holders believe that crypto is already integrated into traditional financial systems, while nearly one-third (30%) want to see even broader crypto adoption by merchants for payments.”

Looking ahead, 85% expect more people will use crypto within the next five years, but there is still an opportunity to increase engagement with current holders: 40% want to earn rewards and interest for transacting or using their crypto, while about a third want more:

• Opportunities to pay with crypto at checkout for purchases like groceries (35%)

• Personal knowledge about crypto (35%)

• Market stability / less volatility (34%)

• Smart regulation and oversight (32%)

• Robust security features and anti-theft guarantees (31%)

As millions of Americans embrace crypto for the first time, the NCA is continuing to provide trusted learning resources to help them navigate the tool safely and responsibly, including by partnering with Coinbase and Operation HOPE to close the crypto knowledge gap and empower communities around the country.

FF NEWS TAKE: This report decisively moves the needle, confirming that consumer trust in digital assets now surpasses traditional banking. The true significance lies in the user behavior shift toward practical utility, from remittances to retail payments. We must now watch for two key developments: first, a greater commitment from major merchants to integrate crypto payment options; and second, the inevitable regulatory response that must balance innovation with the public’s desire for stability and security.