Cryptocurrency Adoption Reaches 10% of US Population in 2025, Marking Three-Year Peak: Federal Reserve
More than 25% of crypto users who made payments indicated businesses favored cryptocurrency transactions, highlighting benefits including transaction speed, enhanced privacy, and reduced fees.
Approximately one in ten American adults reported using or investing in cryptocurrency during 2025, representing the strongest adoption rate observed over the past three years, based on findings from a Federal Reserve study examining household economic well-being.
The data shows that approximately 10% of respondents engaged with crypto for various purposes, marking an increase from both 2023 and 2024 figures, the Fed report revealed on Wednesday.
However, despite this upward trend, the 2025 adoption numbers remained below the peak cryptocurrency engagement witnessed in 2021, during which 12% of the American population reported utilizing crypto for various applications.
Integrating Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies into routine payment transactions has emerged as a central strategic priority for numerous American payment service providers, including Block, the company founded by Jack Dorsey, which has facilitated Bitcoin and stablecoin transaction capabilities for more than 800,000 merchants based throughout the United States.
Additionally, Lightspark, a startup focused on the Bitcoin Lightning Network and established by David Marcus, the former President of PayPal, is actively working toward bringing Bitcoin payment solutions into widespread commercial use.
Survey data revealed that around 9% of participants indicated they utilize cryptocurrency primarily as an investment tool, whereas only 2% employed it for making payments, and 1% leveraged it for transferring funds to relatives or friends.
Cryptocurrency utilization rates proved significantly elevated among individuals without traditional bank accounts, with 6% of the unbanked population using crypto for transactions versus 2% among those with bank accounts. The data indicates that approximately 6% of the American population remained unbanked throughout 2025.
Among individuals who utilized cryptocurrency for payment purposes, more than 25% indicated that businesses showed a preference for receiving crypto payments, pointing to specific benefits including faster transaction processing, greater privacy protections, and reduced transaction fees.
Fewer than 10% of businesses indicated they preferred cryptocurrency payment methods because they considered it "safer" compared to traditional banking systems or due to diminished confidence in conventional financial institutions.
The new Federal Reserve chair likes Bitcoin
Over recent years, the Federal Reserve has maintained a relatively conservative stance regarding cryptocurrency, especially during Jerome Powell's tenure as chairman, which concluded on Friday.
Kevin Warsh is positioned to succeed Powell, having received Senate confirmation on Wednesday.
Warsh, who previously held the position of Fed governor between 2006 and 2011, maintains a positive perspective on Bitcoin, having previously commented that it has the potential to "provide market discipline" and drawing comparisons between Bitcoin and gold as an investment option particularly suited for individuals younger than 40.
Among policy observers, Warsh is commonly regarded as maintaining hawkish positions on monetary policy matters, frequently advocating for fiscal discipline, maintaining lower inflation levels, and demonstrating a preference for reduced dependence on quantitative easing programs.