A report titled “Crypto Investor Sentiment Report 2026,” jointly released by the U.S. National Crypto Monetary Association (NCA) and Harris Poll in May, shows that more than 67 million U.S. adults currently hold cryptocurrency, an increase of 12 million people from 2025. The report also confirms: 90% of holders plan to continue buying cryptocurrency over the next year; 77% say cryptocurrency has had a positive impact on their lives.
Confirmed shifts in holder demographics: age, gender, income
The demographic data from this survey indicates that the composition of crypto holders is undergoing measurable changes:
In terms of gender, among new crypto buyers entering the market over the past year (2025 to 2026), women accounted for 42%, higher than 34% among earlier entrants before 2025. In terms of age, 18 to 24-year-olds made up 18% of recent buyers, while those aged 55 and above accounted for 28%; the entry rate of Baby Boomers doubled from 6% before 2025 to 13% among recent buyers; Gen Z rose from 24% to 29%. In terms of income, 90% of holders have an annual income below $500,000, 23% have an annual income below $75,000, and more than half of holders have household annual income below $150,000.
In occupational distribution, the technology sector still accounts for the largest share of holders (18%). Construction and manufacturing combined account for 21%, covering a broader group of blue-collar workers and traditional industries. Geographically, the South has the highest holder proportion at 38%.
Confirmed changes in usage patterns: from investment tools to everyday applications
The report confirms that cryptocurrency usage patterns have expanded beyond simply holding as an investment into everyday consumption and social transfer: 41% of holders have gifted cryptocurrency to friends and family, and 40% have used it to buy goods and services. For future plans, 90% plan to buy more cryptocurrency, 72% plan to spend using cryptocurrency, and 65% plan to gift it to friends and family. More than half of the respondents who plan to buy cryptocurrency expect to purchase up to $5,000 in the coming year. 63% of holders say their interest in cryptocurrency has increased compared with 2025.
Confirmed data on trust, key obstacles, and the CLARITY Act
Trust comparison: 69% of holders trust cryptocurrency; 65% of holders trust traditional banks
Perceived reliability: 75% of holders believe cryptocurrency is “verified and reliable”
Key obstacles: 72% of holders say they are concerned about scams and security issues
Factors that build trust: Transparency ranks first at 49%; real-world use cases and integration with traditional finance each account for 42%
CLARITY Act legislative progress: On May 14, the Senate Banking Committee passed it by a 15:9 vote, and it has been submitted for consideration by the full Senate; NCA CEO and Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty said: “There are 67 million Americans holding cryptocurrency, the data is there, and the time is now.”
Frequently asked questions
Does the survey methodology of NCA’s “Crypto Investor Sentiment Report 2026” have statistical reliability?
The report is based on an online survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of the NCA, with a sample size of 10,000 U.S. adults who claim to hold cryptocurrency. The survey period was February 12 to March 3, 2026. Researchers applied weighting and extrapolation to estimate the broader crypto-holding population in the U.S., arriving at an estimated figure of about 67 million. At a 95% confidence level, the margin of error is ±0.7 percentage points. It should be noted that the report’s respondents were all self-identified crypto users, meaning it is not a random sample; the extrapolated estimate of 67 million is the result of a weighted model, not direct statistics.
What is the background behind the data showing crypto trust (69%) surpassing traditional banks (65%)?
This comparison is based on the same group (crypto holders) rating trust in two financial systems, rather than a survey of all U.S. adults. Within the group that holds cryptocurrency, choosing cryptocurrency itself is an action that already reflects a certain level of trust, so there are selection-bias factors that cause this group’s crypto trust to be higher than their trust in traditional banks. Even so, a 65% trust rate in traditional banks still indicates that the crypto-holder group’s confidence in the banking system is not entirely absent; the difference between the two (4 percentage points) remains statistically significant within the ±0.7% margin of error.
What direct impacts on crypto holders have been confirmed from the passage of the CLARITY Act?
The CLARITY Act aims to establish a federal regulatory framework for digital assets. It has already passed the Senate Banking Committee (15:9 vote) and is currently still under consideration by the full Senate, so it has not yet become law. Confirmed directions of the provisions include providing clearer federal rules for the classification and trading of digital assets and strengthening consumer-protection frameworks. Stuart Alderoty said the bill is intended to “protect the lawful interests of ordinary Americans in a crypto economy worth trillions of dollars, not protect a particular industry.” Full legislative text must wait until the full Senate completes its review before it can be confirmed.
