Mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrency in the U.S. continues to stall despite a surge in institutional adoption and political attention. According to a new Gallup survey, just 14% of U.S. adults currently own bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies — a modest rise from previous years, but still far from widespread adoption.

Demographics tell the real story. The typical crypto owner is a man between 18 and 49 years old — a group where ownership reaches 25%. In contrast, older women and lower-income Americans are among the least likely to invest, with ownership rates hovering around 8-9%. Even among those who don’t currently own crypto, only 4% say they plan to buy soon, while a whopping 60% say they have zero interest.

Perception of risk remains the elephant in the room. Over half of Americans (55%) view crypto as a “very risky” investment. Interestingly, even those who claim to understand cryptocurrency still consider it risky, suggesting that education alone may not change minds. Political affiliation also plays a role: conservatives tend to own more crypto and see it as less risky, while liberals are more skeptical — a divide possibly influenced by recent political endorsements of crypto, including former President Trump branding himself the “crypto president.”

Despite this hesitation, ownership among U.S. investors has climbed, reaching 17% this year — up from 6% in 2021 and just 2% in 2018. Still, that’s a far cry from the 60% of Americans who own stocks or real estate.

For now, crypto remains a fringe investment, with its future on Main Street tied to evolving regulations, broader financial integration, and overcoming its “high-risk” reputation.

🔗 Read the full Gallup report: Cryptocurrency Still Has Limited Main Street Appeal