Today, one in four American adults owns cryptocurrency, up from one in five just a year ago. In a single year, 12 million more Americans became crypto holders. That is roughly the combined population of New York City and Los Angeles.
Those numbers come from the 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report, conducted by the National Cryptocurrency Association in partnership with The Harris Poll. The survey of 10,000 U.S. crypto holders offers a detailed look at who owns crypto in America today, where they are from, and what they are actually doing with it.
Who really uses crypto today
The holder base has broadened in every direction. Female crypto ownership is on the rise, up 10% since last year, with new holders who joined in 2025 to 2026 more likely to be female (42%) than earlier adopters (34%). The age range has widened at both ends, with 18% of new holders aged 18 to 24 and 28% aged 55 or older. More than half of all holders earn less than $150,000 in combined household income, and nearly a quarter earn less than $75,000. That spread across income brackets, regions, and industries changes the calculations for companies and policymakers who pay attention.
Crypto ownership is no longer concentrated in tech hubs or coastal cities. Holders are spread across the country in roughly the same proportions as the general population, with the South accounting for 38%, the West at 27%, and the Midwest and Northeast each at 18%. The typical crypto holder in 2026 is as likely to be a construction worker in Dallas as a software engineer in San Francisco.
Practical use cases are on the rise
Everyday use is leading the way. Among holders surveyed, 41% send crypto to friends and family, up from 31% the previous year. Another 40% use crypto to shop for goods and services. Crypto gaming grew from 20% to 28%, and the share of holders purchasing property through blockchain tokenization, which refers to fractional ownership recorded on a digital ledger, grew from 15% to 19%.
Other use cases are cooling. NFT activity slipped from 32% to 30%, and buying or selling artwork through crypto dropped from 17% to 15%. The overall share of holders with no practical use for crypto dropped from 20% in 2025 to 13% in 2026, meaning more of the holder base is actively using the technology.
The report also found that 41% of holders describe crypto as an investment, a payment method, and a technology platform simultaneously. For most people who hold it, crypto works as multiple tools at once, much like a phone handles messaging, payments, and entertainment all in one place.
How holders are benefitting from crypto
When holders rank the benefits of owning crypto, financial independence comes first, chosen by 54%, up from 49% the year before. Learning and personal growth follow at 51%, and the sense of security and control climbed from 35% to 42% in a single year. Three out of four holders report an overall positive experience with crypto, and 83% say they feel proud when they think about their crypto use.
Crypto has become a gateway into financial literacy. Learning how a blockchain works often raises questions about inflation, diversification, and payment systems. For many, the education does not stop at crypto alone.
What will accelerate adoption
Holders were asked what would make them more likely to use crypto, and the answers were practical. Earning rewards and interest for transacting or using their crypto came in first, cited by 40% of respondents. About a third cited the ability to pay for everyday goods and services - which by the way, they can - and another third said greater personal knowledge would make the biggest difference, while 34% wanted less market volatility.
One number stands out. Among surveyed holders, 76% want their bank to allow them to buy, hold, and manage crypto alongside their regular accounts. That helps explain why nearly one in three holders say their view of crypto shifted most when they saw it show up in systems they already trusted, like PayPal, Visa, and their own bank.
The holder experience is overwhelmingly positive
Holders consistently report that crypto has been a positive force in their lives. 77% say it has had a positive impact, and only 3% report a negative experience. At the same time, 72% say they worry about scams in the industry. Holders are participating with open eyes, clear about the risks even as their own experiences remain largely positive.
That gap between general concern and personal experience points to where education makes the biggest difference. Accessible guidance on spotting scams, securing digital assets, and understanding how the technology works helps more people feel confident about getting started.
Resources for the crypto-curious
The biggest barrier for people who do not yet own cryptocurrency is a lack of knowledge. The good news is that is exactly what the NCA is here to help with. Our free resources meet you wherever you are in your crypto journey.
Our Learning Portal covers the basics, from what crypto is to how to use it safely. The Simulator lets people practice setting up a wallet and making transactions without risking any real money. The Crypto, Explained podcast features conversations with real holders, businesses, and policy professionals about how they see crypto in their daily lives.