A new national survey by the Harris Poll shows a shifting profile in American cryptocurrency investment — and it’s not dominated by Gen Z or flashy influencers. Instead, middle-aged men, particularly those between the ages of 35 and 54, are now leading crypto adoption across the United States.
According to the Harris Poll’s cryptocurrency snapshot, 30% of Americans aged 35–54 who are aware of crypto are actively investing in it — the highest share among all age groups. In comparison, only 22% of adults aged 18–34 and just 9% of those 55 and older are crypto investors.
The demographic divide is also stark across gender and race:
- 25% of people of color are investing, versus 18% of white adults.
- 27% of men who are aware of crypto are investors, compared to 15% of women.
As cryptocurrency continues to evolve, understanding the demographics and sentiments of its investors provides valuable insight into its future trajectory.
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 was a turning point. In the weeks following the decision, the share of Americans describing Bitcoin as “trustworthy” nearly doubled — from 5.3% to 10.2%, according to the poll.
Yet trust remains fragile. Most Americans still view crypto with skepticism or confusion: Among older adults (55+), this lack of familiarity rises to 73%. Also 46% of U.S. adults say they are not familiar with how cryptocurrency works.
While not the most invested group, younger adults (ages 18–34) are more open to the potential of crypto as part of a diversified financial future. Though the Harris Poll doesn’t quantify this group’s exact optimism, it does indicate that young Americans are more likely to see crypto as innovative and worth exploring than older cohorts.
Despite recent regulatory wins and expanding access through ETFs, cryptocurrency adoption in the U.S. is still shaped by age, gender, and understanding. For now, middle-aged men remain the most engaged group — but widespread trust and financial integration remain a work in progress.
