Crypto Usage Among U.S. Adults Reaches Three-Year High in 2025

In 2025, approximately one-tenth of U.S. adults reported using or investing in cryptocurrencies, marking the highest level of engagement in three years, according to a Federal Reserve report on household economic well-being. According to Cointelegraph, the report, released on Wednesday, indicates that around 10% of adults engaged with crypto for various purposes, an increase from the figures in 2023 and 2024. However, this still falls short of the 12% adoption rate recorded in 2021. The report provides a detailed breakdown of crypto usage, including investment and payments, among Americans from 2021 to 2025. Expanding the use of Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies into everyday payments has been a significant focus for American payment companies. Jack Dorsey's Block, for instance, has facilitated Bitcoin and stablecoin payments for over 800,000 U.S.-based merchants. Additionally, Lightspark, a Bitcoin Lightning Network startup founded by former PayPal President David Marcus, is working to bring Bitcoin payments into the mainstream. The survey revealed that around 9% of respondents use crypto as an investment vehicle, while only 2% utilize it for payments, and 1% for sending money to family or friends. Crypto usage was notably higher among the unbanked population, with 6% using it for transactions compared to 2% of banked adults. In 2025, approximately 6% of Americans were unbanked. More than a quarter of those using crypto for payments reported that businesses preferred crypto payments due to advantages like speed, privacy, and lower costs. However, less than 10% of businesses expressed a preference for crypto payments, citing reasons such as perceived safety over banks or distrust in the traditional banking system. The Federal Reserve has historically maintained a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies, particularly under Jerome Powell's leadership, which concluded on Friday. Kevin Warsh, who was voted in by the Senate on Wednesday, will succeed Powell as the new Federal Reserve chair. Warsh, a former Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, is known for his favorable view of Bitcoin, having previously suggested that it could "provide market discipline" and compared it to gold as an investment for those under 40. Warsh is recognized for his hawkish views on monetary policy, often advocating for fiscal restraint, lower inflation, and reduced reliance on quantitative easing.