Author: Michael Tabone Source: Cointelegraph Translator: Shan Ouba, Jinse Finance
A new report shows that cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly "normal" in terms of user numbers and demographics.
Although the recent focus of Bitcoin and the crypto market has been largely on political policies and institutional involvement, such as the government's gradual acceptance of crypto assets and traditional financial instruments like ETFs becoming the "tail of the crypto dog", the "State Cryptocurrency Association" (NCA) released the "Cryptocurrency Status 2025" report in May 2025, which shifts its focus to another aspect of this digital coin.
This report shows that the profile of cryptocurrency users in the United States is no longer limited to hoodie-wearing programmers or elite investment bankers on Wall Street, but includes construction workers in Oklahoma, artists in Chicago, grandmothers in Kansas—along with 55 million ordinary Americans who use cryptocurrency for shopping, saving, and remittances.
The survey was conducted by Harris Poll, sampling 10,000 cryptocurrency asset holders among 54,000 American adults.
Cryptocurrency has become the "new normal"
Ali Tager, Vice President of NCA Communications, stated in an interview with Cointelegraph at the "Bitcoin 2025" conference in Las Vegas: "Cryptocurrency belongs to everyone."
The report shows that currently 21% of American adults (about one in five) hold some form of cryptocurrency asset. This level of prevalence has far-reaching implications for industry narratives and policymakers.
Tager pointed out that the stories of most cryptocurrency holders do not involve quick riches or flaunting wealth, but are more about its practical uses and the transformation in their lives. For example, among the respondents, 39% have used cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services, of which 96% use it at least once a year, and 22% use it once a week. Additionally, 31% of users reported having remitted money to family members using cryptocurrency as an alternative to traditional remittance channels.
The main motivation for entering the crypto market remains investment (chosen by 60% of respondents), but curiosity about blockchain technology (50%) as well as practical application scenarios such as online shopping (27%) are also important reasons.
Tager concluded, "Cryptocurrency is no longer just a novelty. For many, it is simply a more efficient way of doing things—whether it's shopping, paying bills, or remitting money."
is consistent with trends from other industry reports, but there are methodological differences
The findings of NCA are basically consistent with the past analytical directions of Chainalysis, Messari, and a16zcrypto — that is, cryptocurrency adoption is on the rise. However, the specific statistical composition remains controversial.
For example, the NCA report, based on a survey of 54,000 people conducted by Harris, estimates that the United States has 55 million cryptocurrency holders. Although this figure is representative, it may overestimate the actual holding ratio due to the use of online questionnaires. Another report released by Messari in 2025 estimates that the number of active cryptocurrency users worldwide is between 30 million and 60 million, thereby questioning whether some figures may have "speculative inflation."
In addition, the NCA report states that 31% of women own crypto assets, showing that the crypto market is becoming more gender-diverse. However, considering that online surveys are more likely to attract "tech-savvy" users, this result may contradict the view presented by Chainalysis in their report at the end of 2024 that "70% of on-chain activity in the U.S. is dominated by crypto elites."
This does not deny the growing trend of cryptocurrency adoption among women or non-elite groups, nor does it deny the value of large-scale NCA surveys; rather, it emphasizes that to establish widespread trust among the public and the industry, more repeatable and standardized research is needed to validate the accuracy of the data.
The user base of cryptocurrencies is undergoing a structural change
The report from the NCA (National Cryptocurrency Association) emphasizes that the holders of crypto assets are much more diverse than people generally imagine. While 67% of holders are male, there are also 31% who are female, which corresponds to nearly 17 million women in the U.S. using digital assets. In terms of age distribution, although 67% of crypto users are under 45 years old, there are also nearly 9 million people over 55, breaking the stereotype that "crypto is just a young person's game."
NCA Vice President Ali Tager cited examples: "We heard from a cattle rancher in Kansas who uses blockchain to trace beef origin; and a single mother in Texas learning crypto trading to achieve financial independence. These are the stories worth paying attention to — they are not chasing Lamborghinis, but rather using cryptocurrency due to reality, and often because it changes their fate."
The report particularly emphasizes the potential of cryptocurrency assets to narrow the financial gap:
45% of users believe that cryptocurrency is a tool for promoting financial inclusion and reducing poverty;
38% of people believe that cryptocurrency technology has driven technological innovation and sustainable economic practices.
Concerns and Challenges of Encryption
Although the above data shows the popularization and democratization of the cryptocurrency field, the report simultaneously reveals a core contradiction: 75% of cryptocurrency users are concerned about scams and security issues, but only 3% report having personally experienced fraud incidents.
According to a report by Chainalysis, the estimated global cryptocurrency crime amount in 2024 could reach 51.3 billion dollars. At first glance, there appears to be a significant gap, but further analysis reveals that these crimes are mostly concentrated in a few incidents, such as a large ransomware attack or high-value transactions on the dark web market. According to NCA data, the majority of ordinary users do not engage in these high-risk behaviors and 70% of users hold cryptocurrency assets worth less than 10,000 dollars.
At the same time, the public's thirst for knowledge is becoming increasingly strong. 81% of cryptocurrency holders express a desire to further understand digital assets, covering various aspects from investment strategies, blockchain basics to tax compliance.
Tager pointed out: "What the public truly desires is trustworthy information, not hype or empty recommendations from KOLs. They want to know how to apply cryptocurrency to everyday life."
Public calls for clearer and more balanced regulation
Even as cryptocurrency becomes more popular, Americans are calling for smarter and clearer regulations. A report by NCA shows that 64% of cryptocurrency holders support government regulation, and 73% believe it is crucial for the U.S. to become a global leader in the cryptocurrency space. However, 67% are concerned that strict regulations may stifle the innovative power of cryptocurrency's transformative potential.
Tager believes that these seemingly contradictory demands are not in conflict: "Appropriate regulation can grant legitimacy to cryptocurrencies and protect consumers. The key is to find a balance - to reach a consensus between building trust and maintaining open innovation."
This balance is gradually being achieved in Washington, USA. In 2025, President Trump's second term is referred to as the "turning point" for US crypto policy. The new Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clearly supports crypto-friendly policies, and several favorable legislations are being advanced.
On the congressional side, the "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act" proposed by Senator Cynthia Lummis also shows that the U.S. government is taking a proactive attitude towards the industry. This policy support is expected to promote the development of the domestic crypto industry in the U.S., thereby increasing the acceptance of crypto among ordinary consumers in the U.S..
This confidence is also reflected in the data: 44% of cryptocurrency users believe it can enhance the transparency and security of traditional financial systems; another 44% emphasize its potential in improving transaction efficiency and speed.
Tager believes that all of this is prompting people to rethink the social mission of cryptocurrency. "Even we are surprised," she admits, "but it makes sense — the low barriers to entry for cryptocurrency are creating new pathways where traditional finance has failed. In those overlooked communities, the inclusive financial potential of crypto is gradually becoming tangible."
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Encryption is no longer a "rich man's game"; Crypto Assets have become the new normal.
Author: Michael Tabone Source: Cointelegraph Translator: Shan Ouba, Jinse Finance
A new report shows that cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly "normal" in terms of user numbers and demographics.
Although the recent focus of Bitcoin and the crypto market has been largely on political policies and institutional involvement, such as the government's gradual acceptance of crypto assets and traditional financial instruments like ETFs becoming the "tail of the crypto dog", the "State Cryptocurrency Association" (NCA) released the "Cryptocurrency Status 2025" report in May 2025, which shifts its focus to another aspect of this digital coin.
This report shows that the profile of cryptocurrency users in the United States is no longer limited to hoodie-wearing programmers or elite investment bankers on Wall Street, but includes construction workers in Oklahoma, artists in Chicago, grandmothers in Kansas—along with 55 million ordinary Americans who use cryptocurrency for shopping, saving, and remittances.
The survey was conducted by Harris Poll, sampling 10,000 cryptocurrency asset holders among 54,000 American adults.
Cryptocurrency has become the "new normal"
Ali Tager, Vice President of NCA Communications, stated in an interview with Cointelegraph at the "Bitcoin 2025" conference in Las Vegas: "Cryptocurrency belongs to everyone."
The report shows that currently 21% of American adults (about one in five) hold some form of cryptocurrency asset. This level of prevalence has far-reaching implications for industry narratives and policymakers.
Tager pointed out that the stories of most cryptocurrency holders do not involve quick riches or flaunting wealth, but are more about its practical uses and the transformation in their lives. For example, among the respondents, 39% have used cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services, of which 96% use it at least once a year, and 22% use it once a week. Additionally, 31% of users reported having remitted money to family members using cryptocurrency as an alternative to traditional remittance channels.
The main motivation for entering the crypto market remains investment (chosen by 60% of respondents), but curiosity about blockchain technology (50%) as well as practical application scenarios such as online shopping (27%) are also important reasons.
Tager concluded, "Cryptocurrency is no longer just a novelty. For many, it is simply a more efficient way of doing things—whether it's shopping, paying bills, or remitting money."
is consistent with trends from other industry reports, but there are methodological differences
The findings of NCA are basically consistent with the past analytical directions of Chainalysis, Messari, and a16zcrypto — that is, cryptocurrency adoption is on the rise. However, the specific statistical composition remains controversial.
For example, the NCA report, based on a survey of 54,000 people conducted by Harris, estimates that the United States has 55 million cryptocurrency holders. Although this figure is representative, it may overestimate the actual holding ratio due to the use of online questionnaires. Another report released by Messari in 2025 estimates that the number of active cryptocurrency users worldwide is between 30 million and 60 million, thereby questioning whether some figures may have "speculative inflation."
In addition, the NCA report states that 31% of women own crypto assets, showing that the crypto market is becoming more gender-diverse. However, considering that online surveys are more likely to attract "tech-savvy" users, this result may contradict the view presented by Chainalysis in their report at the end of 2024 that "70% of on-chain activity in the U.S. is dominated by crypto elites."
This does not deny the growing trend of cryptocurrency adoption among women or non-elite groups, nor does it deny the value of large-scale NCA surveys; rather, it emphasizes that to establish widespread trust among the public and the industry, more repeatable and standardized research is needed to validate the accuracy of the data.
The user base of cryptocurrencies is undergoing a structural change
The report from the NCA (National Cryptocurrency Association) emphasizes that the holders of crypto assets are much more diverse than people generally imagine. While 67% of holders are male, there are also 31% who are female, which corresponds to nearly 17 million women in the U.S. using digital assets. In terms of age distribution, although 67% of crypto users are under 45 years old, there are also nearly 9 million people over 55, breaking the stereotype that "crypto is just a young person's game."
NCA Vice President Ali Tager cited examples: "We heard from a cattle rancher in Kansas who uses blockchain to trace beef origin; and a single mother in Texas learning crypto trading to achieve financial independence. These are the stories worth paying attention to — they are not chasing Lamborghinis, but rather using cryptocurrency due to reality, and often because it changes their fate."
The report particularly emphasizes the potential of cryptocurrency assets to narrow the financial gap:
Concerns and Challenges of Encryption
Although the above data shows the popularization and democratization of the cryptocurrency field, the report simultaneously reveals a core contradiction: 75% of cryptocurrency users are concerned about scams and security issues, but only 3% report having personally experienced fraud incidents.
According to a report by Chainalysis, the estimated global cryptocurrency crime amount in 2024 could reach 51.3 billion dollars. At first glance, there appears to be a significant gap, but further analysis reveals that these crimes are mostly concentrated in a few incidents, such as a large ransomware attack or high-value transactions on the dark web market. According to NCA data, the majority of ordinary users do not engage in these high-risk behaviors and 70% of users hold cryptocurrency assets worth less than 10,000 dollars.
At the same time, the public's thirst for knowledge is becoming increasingly strong. 81% of cryptocurrency holders express a desire to further understand digital assets, covering various aspects from investment strategies, blockchain basics to tax compliance.
Tager pointed out: "What the public truly desires is trustworthy information, not hype or empty recommendations from KOLs. They want to know how to apply cryptocurrency to everyday life."
Public calls for clearer and more balanced regulation
Even as cryptocurrency becomes more popular, Americans are calling for smarter and clearer regulations. A report by NCA shows that 64% of cryptocurrency holders support government regulation, and 73% believe it is crucial for the U.S. to become a global leader in the cryptocurrency space. However, 67% are concerned that strict regulations may stifle the innovative power of cryptocurrency's transformative potential.
Tager believes that these seemingly contradictory demands are not in conflict: "Appropriate regulation can grant legitimacy to cryptocurrencies and protect consumers. The key is to find a balance - to reach a consensus between building trust and maintaining open innovation."
This balance is gradually being achieved in Washington, USA. In 2025, President Trump's second term is referred to as the "turning point" for US crypto policy. The new Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clearly supports crypto-friendly policies, and several favorable legislations are being advanced.
On the congressional side, the "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act" proposed by Senator Cynthia Lummis also shows that the U.S. government is taking a proactive attitude towards the industry. This policy support is expected to promote the development of the domestic crypto industry in the U.S., thereby increasing the acceptance of crypto among ordinary consumers in the U.S..
This confidence is also reflected in the data: 44% of cryptocurrency users believe it can enhance the transparency and security of traditional financial systems; another 44% emphasize its potential in improving transaction efficiency and speed.
Tager believes that all of this is prompting people to rethink the social mission of cryptocurrency. "Even we are surprised," she admits, "but it makes sense — the low barriers to entry for cryptocurrency are creating new pathways where traditional finance has failed. In those overlooked communities, the inclusive financial potential of crypto is gradually becoming tangible."