Pew Research: U.S. Crypto Adoption Holds at 19%, Republican Use Surges to 22%
In brief
- U.S. crypto adoption holds at 19%, matching 2021 levels among adults
- Republican crypto use jumped to 22%, up from 16% in 2021
- Young men ages 18–29 lead adoption at 38% versus 15% for young women
- Upper-income households show 27% crypto use, nearly double the national average
Adoption Levels Plateau, But Partisanship Widens
Roughly one-in-five U.S. adults (19%) have invested in or used digital assets, according to Pew Research. This 19% figure is roughly on par with the 16% adoption rate recorded in 2021, suggesting the broader cryptocurrency market has plateaued after years of retail enthusiasm.
What's changed is the political composition. Republican crypto use has ticked up significantly from 16% in 2021 to 22% today. Meanwhile, usage among Democrats has held entirely steady at 17%. Historically, cryptocurrency use was evenly split across political affiliations before this year. The shift marks a notable realignment in how Americans across the political spectrum engage with digital assets.
Gender and Age Gaps Persist
The data reveals stark disparities by age and gender. A staggering 38% of men ages 18 to 29 say they have ever invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrency, compared to just 15% of women in the exact same age bracket. This trend holds for men ages 30 to 49 (40% report using crypto).
Wealth also tracks adoption. About one-in-four adults (27%) in upper-income households have invested in or used crypto, well above the national average.
The survey underscores a bifurcated crypto landscape: adoption remains concentrated among younger, wealthier, and increasingly Republican demographics, while broader mainstream penetration has stalled.
