Key Takeaways
- • 10% of U.S. citizens reported trading or purchasing cryptocurrency in the past 12 months as of 2025, according to an OANDA survey of 1,000 nationally representative respondents, indicating crypto has moved beyond niche enthusiast interest into mainstream retail investment.
- • Significant gender disparity in crypto adoption persists: men are four times more likely to have purchased digital assets than women, with 40% of male respondents versus 5% of female respondents reporting crypto purchases in the past 12 months.
- • Younger generations demonstrate substantially higher crypto engagement, with approximately 20% of 18-24 year-olds owning crypto, compared to declining rates across older cohorts (18% for 25-34 year-olds, 17% for 35-44 year-olds, dropping to 5% for those over 55).
- • Crypto adoption figures vary across recent surveys, with estimates ranging from 7% to 30% depending on methodology and timeframe, suggesting inconsistency in how "crypto use" and "ownership" are measured across different research organizations.
- • Digital assets have transitioned from speculative fringe assets to a recognized component of retail investment portfolios, with OANDA research indicating crypto now competes for investor capital alongside equities, options, forex, and other traditional investable assets.
Summary
Recent survey data from OANDA indicates that approximately 10% of U.S. citizens engaged in trading or purchasing cryptocurrency during the 12-month period ending in 2025, representing a notable shift in crypto's penetration into mainstream American retail investment. The survey, conducted across a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. citizens with additional analysis of 1,000 active crypto holders, demonstrates that digital assets are no longer confined to early adopter communities but have achieved material adoption among ordinary consumers and retail investors.
The research reveals pronounced demographic stratification in crypto adoption patterns. Male investors significantly outpace female investors, with 40% of male respondents reporting crypto purchases in the past 12 months compared to only 5% of women surveyed. This fourfold gender disparity underscores persistent gaps in crypto market participation across demographic lines. Age represents another critical differentiator, with younger cohorts demonstrating substantially higher engagement: approximately 20% of 18-24 year-olds hold cryptocurrency, declining progressively to 18% for ages 25-34, 17% for ages 35-44, 10% for ages 45-54, and 5% for those over 55. The OANDA data further shows that 18-24 year-olds are the most financially engaged generation overall, with nearly 50% investing or trading across all asset classes (shares, options, forex, and crypto) in the past 12 months, compared to just 20% of those over 55.
It is important to note that adoption estimates vary significantly across research methodologies. Competing survey data cited in alternative sources reports figures ranging from 7% to 30% of Americans holding or using cryptocurrency, reflecting differences in survey design, definitional scope (whether "use" encompasses passive ownership, active trading, or payment usage), and sampling periods. The Federal Reserve survey referenced in some sources reported 7% of U.S. adults used crypto in the past 12 months as of 2024, while other research organizations cite higher ownership percentages. These discrepancies suggest that standardized measurement protocols remain absent in this emerging asset class, creating potential confusion for investors assessing true market penetration.
The OANDA findings underscore that cryptocurrency has transitioned from a speculative niche asset class into a legitimate component of diversified retail investment portfolios, competing alongside traditional and alternative investments for consumer capital. However, the substantial variance in adoption metrics across survey sources, combined with persistent demographic inequities in participation, suggests that meaningful segments of the American population remain either unengaged with or excluded from crypto markets.
The research reveals pronounced demographic stratification in crypto adoption patterns. Male investors significantly outpace female investors, with 40% of male respondents reporting crypto purchases in the past 12 months compared to only 5% of women surveyed. This fourfold gender disparity underscores persistent gaps in crypto market participation across demographic lines. Age represents another critical differentiator, with younger cohorts demonstrating substantially higher engagement: approximately 20% of 18-24 year-olds hold cryptocurrency, declining progressively to 18% for ages 25-34, 17% for ages 35-44, 10% for ages 45-54, and 5% for those over 55. The OANDA data further shows that 18-24 year-olds are the most financially engaged generation overall, with nearly 50% investing or trading across all asset classes (shares, options, forex, and crypto) in the past 12 months, compared to just 20% of those over 55.
It is important to note that adoption estimates vary significantly across research methodologies. Competing survey data cited in alternative sources reports figures ranging from 7% to 30% of Americans holding or using cryptocurrency, reflecting differences in survey design, definitional scope (whether "use" encompasses passive ownership, active trading, or payment usage), and sampling periods. The Federal Reserve survey referenced in some sources reported 7% of U.S. adults used crypto in the past 12 months as of 2024, while other research organizations cite higher ownership percentages. These discrepancies suggest that standardized measurement protocols remain absent in this emerging asset class, creating potential confusion for investors assessing true market penetration.
The OANDA findings underscore that cryptocurrency has transitioned from a speculative niche asset class into a legitimate component of diversified retail investment portfolios, competing alongside traditional and alternative investments for consumer capital. However, the substantial variance in adoption metrics across survey sources, combined with persistent demographic inequities in participation, suggests that meaningful segments of the American population remain either unengaged with or excluded from crypto markets.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.