33M Americans Are Eyeing Crypto, but the Next Wave Looks Different: Survey

Potential Buyers Look Different From Current Crypto Holders

More than 33 cardinal Americans without cryptocurrency holdings are apt to bargain successful 2026, according to research released Oct. 6. The Harris Poll conducted the survey for the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA), a nonprofit focused connected crypto education. Its crypto readiness findings picture nonholders who considered themselves somewhat oregon precise apt to acquisition successful 2026.

The imaginable purchaser colonisation had a median property of 42, compared with 38 for existent owners. Women represented 43% of apt purchasers versus 34% of holders, and households earning nether $75,000 accounted for 42% of imaginable buyers versus 23% for existing crypto holders.

Adults ages 35 to 54 were conscionable arsenic apt arsenic those ages 18 to 34 to expect buying crypto, astatine 27% each. The fig fell to 7% among adults 55 and older. People of colour represented 55% of apt buyers, compared with 48% of existent holders.

Likely 2026 crypto buyers person a higher median property and larger shares of women, radical of color, and households earning nether $75,000 than existent holders. Source: National Cryptocurrency Association/The Harris Poll.

The Harris Poll surveyed 2,014 U.S. nonholders online June 24-July 1, with demographic weighting to bespeak the population. The survey reported sampling precision of positive oregon minus 2.1 percent points astatine a 95% assurance level.

Separate NCA probe earlier this twelvemonth estimated that more than 67 cardinal Americans clasp crypto, pursuing an summation of 12 cardinal holders successful 1 year. The readiness survey examines intentions among radical who held nary cryptocurrency erstwhile surveyed.

Confusion Creates a Larger Barrier Than Market Volatility

Lack of knowing ranked up of different ownership barriers astatine 48% erstwhile respondents selected their 3 main reasons for not owning crypto. Security and fraud concerns followed astatine 43%, portion marketplace volatility drew 26%. Among changes that could marque buying much comfortable, clearer accusation led astatine 26%, intimately followed by amended scam extortion astatine 25%.

Among Americans who bash not ain crypto, 41% of those who felt knowledgeable astir buying it were apt to acquisition successful 2026, compared with 11% of those who felt not astatine each knowledgeable astir buying crypto. Separate household probe from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland besides identified a bitcoin cognition gap.

The Cleveland Fed moving paper, published July 14, tested however accusation influenced concern decisions. Its authors observed accrued desired holdings and consequent purchases aft participants received information astir humanities cryptocurrency returns.

Among Americans apt to bargain crypto successful 2026, 41% cited diversifying their investments arsenic a reason, making it the astir communal motivation. Other reasons for exploring how cryptocurrency works included buying goods and services (26%), receiving payments faster (24%), and accessing their wealth astatine immoderate clip (24%).

Trust and Education Shape Whether Intent Becomes Ownership

More than one-third of non-holders indicated they would beryllium much apt to bargain cryptocurrency done a trusted fiscal institution. That penchant connects with financial institutions expanding bitcoin services, including trading, custody, and concern products. Among non-holders with advisers, 66% indicated an advisor’s proposal would summation their likelihood of buying, portion 76% would go much apt to learn. However, 61% had ne'er discussed crypto with their advisor.

Women reported little familiarity with buying crypto than men, with 16% describing themselves arsenic knowledgeable compared with 39%. Across each non-holders, 59% of respondents were unfastened to crypto, including skeptics consenting to see it. The NCA summarized their needs:

“Non-holders privation clearer information, amended protection, and trusted voices starring the way.”

That openness extended adjacent to respondents who mostly avoided crypto erstwhile the survey posed a hypothetical acquisition worthy $1,000. Only 12% of each non-holders would garbage it outright, compared with 26% of progressive avoiders. Across the afloat sample, 41% would clasp the acquisition and ticker its value, 15% would put further, and 12% would walk it oregon marque payments.