# Survey Estimates More Than 33 Million U.S. Adults May Buy Crypto

By Enna Lee

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/28470
Published: 2026-10-08T19:50:56.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-08T19:50:56.000Z
Section: Investing

> Likely buyers were older, more diverse and more likely to be women than current holders, while limited understanding and security concerns remained major barriers.

More than 33 million U.S. adults who did not own cryptocurrency at the time of a survey were estimated to be somewhat or very likely to buy it in 2026, pointing to substantial potential demand despite persistent knowledge and security concerns.

Likely buyers differed from current crypto holders across several demographic measures. Their median age was 42, compared with 38 for current holders, while women represented 43% of likely buyers versus 34% of holders.

People of color accounted for 55% of likely buyers, compared with 48% of current holders. Households earning less than $75,000 made up 42% of likely buyers, compared with 23% of current holders.

Among non-holders, 27% of adults ages 18 to 34 and 27% of those ages 35 to 54 were likely to buy cryptocurrency. Among non-holders ages 55 and older, 7% were likely to buy, though subgroup margins of error were wider than the overall survey margin.

Diversifying investments was the leading motivation, cited by 41% of likely buyers. Other motivations included buying goods and services at 26%, receiving payments faster at 24% and having access to money at any time at 24%.

The survey identified lack of understanding, security and fraud concerns, and market volatility as major obstacles. Lack of understanding was cited by 48% of non-holders, followed by security and fraud concerns at 43% and market volatility at 26%.

Purchase intent varied sharply with self-assessed knowledge. Among non-holders who felt knowledgeable about buying cryptocurrency, 41% were likely to purchase it, compared with 11% of those who felt they were not at all knowledgeable.

More than one-third of non-holders said access through a trusted financial institution would increase their likelihood of buying. Among non-holders with a financial adviser, 66% said an adviser’s recommendation would make them more likely to buy, while 61% had never discussed cryptocurrency with an adviser.

The findings point to demand for clearer information, stronger protections and guidance from trusted institutions.

The results came from an online survey of 2,014 U.S. adults who did not hold cryptocurrency, conducted June 24-July 1. The survey was weighted by demographic and political variables and had a reported overall margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Subgroup margins were wider.

The estimate measures stated purchase intent, not completed purchases or guaranteed new ownership. A separate survey of 10,000 current holders estimated that 67 million Americans held cryptocurrency in 2026, but its sample differed from the non-holder survey.