Urban Institute Report Shows Cryptocurrency Adoption Remains Low Despite Efforts to Mainstream Digital Assets
A new report from the Urban Institute suggests that cryptocurrency adoption remains relatively rare among American adults, despite a concerted effort by federal regulators and policymakers to move digital assets into the mainstream. While roughly 17% of American adults have ever owned crypto, only about 9% currently own it, indicating that nearly half of the investors who first tried the asset class have exited the market. President Donald Trump has actively promoted cryptocurrency, pledging to make the United States the "crypto capital of the planet" and issuing an executive order in 2025 to create a national cryptocurrency stockpile. However, the high volatility of Bitcoin and other digital assets has deterred many casual investors. Analysts note that while the 2024 introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs made trading easier, the significant price drops since 2025 have caused many to abandon the asset. Experts suggest that cryptocurrency remains a specialized asset class, and many investors may still prefer more stable traditional assets like stocks, which are owned by roughly 62% of Americans.