Story highlights
14% of US adults report that they own Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies Most others are not interested in buying and looking at cryptocurrencies, as extremely dangerous men ages 18-49 are the most receptive and 25% own them.
WASHINGTON, DC – About one in seven adults in the US, 14%, report that they own cryptocurrency today, and others are planning to buy it soon. Most Americans say they don’t buy it because the perception that it’s a very dangerous investment looks like a key barrier.
Still, ownership has clearly risen over the past few years. This is evident in Gallup’s US investor ownership trends, up from single digits in 2021 to 17% today.
The most common crypto ownership among men under the age of 50
Although 14% of US adults report that they own Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, the rates vary widely by gender and age. Ownership is much higher among men aged 18-49 than men aged 50 (12%), women aged 50 (9%), and men aged 18-49 (8%).
University alumni (19%), upper-class Americans (19%) and political conservatives (18%) also reported above average ownership, with older adults (7%) reporting that younger women, older women and low-income adults (9%) were the least likely to own codes.
In addition to those who currently own cryptocurrency, only 4% of Americans say they will buy it in the near future. 17% admit they are interested in investing, but they don’t plan on buying it anytime soon, while 60% say they are not interested in purchasing cryptocurrency. Another 6% are not familiar with cryptocurrency or are not sure about buying it.
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These findings come from a June 2-15 survey of US adults aged 18 and older conducted online using a probability-based Gallup panel. The vote came before President Donald Trump signed the Genius Act on Friday. The bill will be passed with bipartisan support and establish a clear framework for regulating certain types of cryptocurrencies.
Crypto ownership among US investors has skyrocketed since 2021
This is the first time Gallup read our adult ownership of Cryptocurrency. However, Gallup previously measured ownership of US investors and was based on these studies of adults who have invested more than $10,000 in stocks, bonds or mutual funds.
In 2018, Gallup found that only 2% of investors own Bitcoin, particularly in 2021, it increased to 6%. Currently, 17% of investors say they own Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, the percentage of investors who say they don’t own cryptocurrency is 64% today after a decline from 72% in 2018 to 58% in 2021.
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A familiar term, dark concept
Almost every American says they have at least heard of cryptocurrency. Only 5% say it isn’t. But only a third of 35% say they know something about it, while 60% have heard it, but don’t know much about it.
59% of men ages 18 to 49 who reflect ownership patterns say they know something about the code. This contrasts between 37% of men over 50, 24% of women aged 18 to 49, and 22% of women over 50. Also, friendliness is much higher in upper incomes than in low-income Americans (45% vs. 27%).
Meanwhile, almost all Americans see cryptocurrencies as risky investments, including 55% who say they are “very dangerous” and “somewhat dangerous.”
The perceived risks are the same regardless of your level of knowledge about cryptocurrency. However, 42%, less than half of current owners, consider them extremely dangerous. This contrasts with 72% of people who are not interested in purchasing crypto.
Opinions also vary by politics and ideology, and may reflect Trump’s efforts to strengthen the cryptocurrency market, perhaps calling himself a “crypto president.” Democrats (66%) and liberals (71%) are more likely to perceive cryptocurrencies as extremely dangerous than Republicans (45%) and conservatives (45%).
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The perception of cryptocurrency is a very risky jump to 64% of US investors has changed little since 2021, when 60% viewed it as extremely dangerous.
Conclusion
Cryptocurrency remains a niche investment in the US, with about one in seven adults owning it, with limited interest. This contrasts with about six out of ten Americans who own stocks and real estate (in the form of their own homes), according to Gallup’s 2025 estimate, which helps to see why only 4% believe cryptocurrencies are the best long-term investment.
While policymakers are beginning to coordinate cryptocurrencies with the US financial system and consumer investment platform, they could allow for wider adoption, these attitudes suggest that lack of familiarity and concern about potential returns will still become routine investments. As a result, for now, it appears that young men, high-income Americans and conservatives will gain or lose the most from buying it.
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