Crypto emerged after the 2008 crisis amid problems in the banking system. But over the years, it has not become a mainstream choice. Most people still stick with traditional finance. This is shown by data from a new survey.
When it came to trust in financial accessibility, 65% of participants chose banks. Cryptocurrencies were supported by only 5% of respondents.
A little more than half (52%) do not consider crypto a passing trend. At the same time, 60% believe that crypto is more likely to harm the economy.
The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies among 1,000 voters in the US.
It provides a snapshot of current sentiment as topics like crypto and AI are increasingly coming up in Congress, with regulators, and in politics ahead of the midterm elections.
This material is part of a series dedicated to voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 elections.
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Attitudes toward crypto in the US vary. The survey showed that voters do not particularly trust the Trump administration on regulation, and the topic of cryptocurrencies is closer to the bottom of the priority list.
Against this backdrop, banks seem more reliable for many, and this is happening at a challenging time for the industry. Crypto lobbyists are currently debating with the banking sector over one of the key bills — the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.
Banks fear that yields on stablecoins could directly compete with their deposits and draw away some clients. This could impact lending in the US. Because of these arguments, the bill has been stalled for several months, although recent signals suggest the process may move forward again.
At the same time, crypto has managed to gain a foothold in Americans’ financial lives over this period. About 27% have already invested in crypto. But most of these are old investments, and only about $10,000 or more is held by just about 2%.
The news is also not helping the industry. More than half of respondents (53%) noted that recent news has shaped a rather negative attitude toward the crypto market.
It all depends on how a person views crypto. Those who support it are more likely to think about potential profits. Skeptics primarily associate it with fraud.
At the same time, 46% say they have nothing to do with crypto and do not plan to start. But there are still 27% who have not yet invested but consider it a possibility.
With age, attitudes toward crypto become harsher, especially after 45 years. However, among men, Republicans, and minorities, interest is noticeably higher.
What About Attitudes Toward AI
As with crypto, the situation with AI is similar. Young people are divided in their opinions.
Overall, 55% believe that the risks of AI outweigh its benefits. But there are groups that are more positive about AI — primarily young users, men, and Republicans, roughly the same categories that are more likely to support cryptocurrencies.
It is worth noting those who have already invested in crypto. Among them, 64% believe that the development of AI is justified, even despite possible risks.
At the same time, businesses in the US are already actively implementing AI in almost all areas. But society is reacting more slowly. This could be a problem for the mass adoption of new technologies.
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The Crypto Industry hopes that integration into the US financial regulatory system will help build trust. This could make it easier for those who are still hesitant due to the lack of clear rules.
But the process is slow. Everything comes down to the political situation and disagreements in Congress, as well as the cautious approach of regulators like the SEC.
But there are signals that things are starting to move faster. Regulators appointed by Donald Trump have already stated that they want to integrate crypto assets into the main financial system as quickly as possible.
In addition, in the Senate there are discussions that the Clarity Act bill may finally get a full review as early as May. This gives a chance for the law to be passed in 2026.
