US voters favor financial innovation, yet remain wary of crypto

The findings, published by the DeFi Education Foundation, suggest a significant branding hurdle for the crypto industry ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. Despite a rise in lifetime crypto ownership from 18% in 2025 to 22% in 2026, active usage over the past year remains stagnant at 13%. This disconnect highlights that while Americans are increasingly open to financial tools—particularly for domestic transfers and savings—they remain hesitant to embrace decentralized platforms, with only 5% of respondents expressing substantial trust in them.

Deep-seated dissatisfaction with the traditional banking system serves as the backdrop for these figures. Roughly 63% of Americans believe the current financial infrastructure requires upgrades to combat emerging threats, and 80% demand greater control over their personal data. Although respondents are clear about their desire for more secure and accessible financial systems, the industry has yet to convince the broader public that decentralized finance is the solution. Familiarity remains sparse, as only 9% of adults report being well-versed in the technology, suggesting that technical complexity and security concerns continue to overshadow the potential benefits of digital assets.