Crypto: The New Money Game for the Masses?

Crypto is the new buzzword in finance. It is a hot topic in the United States. It has been gaining traction among the public. Recently, a high-profile event took place in Las Vegas. It was the Bitcoin 2025 conference. Vice President JD Vance and two of President Donald Trump’s sons were there. They spoke about cryptocurrencies. They discussed how this digital money can benefit ordinary people. The Vice President was enthusiastic. He spoke about a big chance to boost innovation. He believes it can improve the lives of many Americans. However, the reality is different. Not many people are using crypto. Only about 17% of U. S. adults have ever invested or used it. This is according to recent data. Even fewer, just 8%, have used it in the past year. This shows that crypto is not as popular as some might think. Who is using crypto? Mostly young men. The highest usage is among men aged 18 to 29. On the other hand, the lowest usage is among women aged 50 and older. This trend is important to note. It shows a generational and gender gap in crypto adoption. The numbers have been changing. In 2021, 12% of U. S. adults used crypto. But in 2024, this number dropped to 7%. This decline is notable. It raises questions about the future of crypto. Is it here to stay? Or is it just a passing fad? Industry groups have a different view. They say 14% of U. S. adults own Bitcoin. This is the most popular type of crypto. With around 260 million adults in the U. S. , that means 36 million people own Bitcoin. This number is significant. It shows that crypto has a place in the market. However, it is still a small part of the overall financial landscape. For comparison, 26% of U. S. households own stocks or mutual funds. And 60% have retirement accounts. The Trump administration has been friendly towards crypto. They have been reaching out to the crypto community. Last week, Trump had a dinner for buyers of his personal meme coin. On the same day as the conference, the Labor Department made a big move. They withdrew guidance that advised employers to be careful about offering crypto investments in their employees' 401ks. This move shows support for crypto. It also shows a shift in the government's stance on digital assets. The Vice President had a clear message. He wants Americans to see crypto as part of the mainstream economy. He believes it is here to stay. He also highlighted Bitcoin's potential. It can help people without a bank account. In 2023, 4. 2% of U. S. households were unbanked. Crypto can change this. It can give these people access to financial services. This is a big deal. It shows how crypto can make a real difference in people's lives.