Valentine's Survey Reveals Gen Z's Growing Appetite for Cryptocurrency Date Payments
A Pollfish study commissioned by OKX reveals that 13% of Gen Z individuals have used cryptocurrency to cover dating expenses, with accessibility challenges preventing wider adoption among non-users.
Young Americans from Generation Z appear willing to embrace cryptocurrency as a payment method for romantic outings, yet the majority have not yet made the leap to using digital currencies for their dating expenses, based on findings from a Pollfish survey conducted in January at the request of cryptocurrency exchange OKX.
The survey, which gathered responses from 1,000 adults across the United States, revealed that 13% of Gen Z participants have used cryptocurrency to pay for dating activities, while numerous respondents who haven't done so cited a straightforward reason: the absence of a convenient, direct payment option using crypto.
The fascination with cryptocurrency went beyond mere transaction methods. The survey discovered that 31% of Gen Z participants found the idea of receiving cryptocurrency as a Valentine's Day present appealing, and an impressive 76% indicated that financial literacy represents an attractive quality in a romantic partner, highlighting that for certain individuals in the dating scene, understanding finances can hold more appeal than astrological compatibility.
However, actual cryptocurrency ownership seems to present a barrier. OKX shared with Cointelegraph that 29.5% of survey participants reported current or previous ownership of crypto assets, indicating that interest in cryptocurrency doesn't necessarily convert into everyday practical usage.
Gen Z shows interest in crypto payments, but accessibility remains challenging
The disconnect between being receptive to the idea and taking actual action highlights a well-known obstacle for cryptocurrency adoption: in most routine situations, using a traditional payment card remains more convenient than making direct payments through a cryptocurrency wallet.
The research additionally discovered that approximately two-thirds of participants believe financial literacy enhances one's appeal in the dating market, with Gen Z (76%) and Millennials (75%) demonstrating the highest levels of agreement with this sentiment.
Understanding of digital financial platforms also proved significant. A range of 52% to 55% of survey respondents indicated that being knowledgeable about digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and digital wallets, can enhance someone's attractiveness as a prospective romantic partner.
However, merely 17% of all respondents believed that possessing digital assets makes an individual more attractive, though this figure climbed to 30% among millennials and 28% within Gen Z. These results suggest that among younger demographic groups, awareness of digital assets is progressively being regarded as a component of overall financial competence.
Romance fraud schemes dampen enthusiasm
Cryptocurrency has also appeared in dating-related news stories for considerably less heartwarming reasons. During 2024, the US Federal Trade Commission released a consumer advisory regarding the increase in romance scams involving cryptocurrency. Canadian regulatory bodies issued comparable warnings, as fraudsters using crypto schemes infiltrated dating applications.
The emergence of artificial intelligence has further elevated the dangers associated with romance scams in the cryptocurrency space. Throughout 2025, fraudsters have progressively deployed chatbots and deepfake technology to exploit victims on both emotional and financial levels.
Public perception has proven to be somewhat divided. Although the OKX survey demonstrated that certain individuals find cryptocurrency involvement attractive, a separate survey conducted by the Date Psychology blog during 2024 revealed that women placed crypto among the least appealing hobbies for men to pursue.