Why Crypto Still Feels Too Risky for Most Americans, Even in 2025

It’s 2025, and you can buy Bitcoin with a few taps on your phone, invest in Ethereum through an ETF, or earn yield by staking Solana. Yet despite the increasing ease of access and a growing chorus of institutional endorsements, most Americans still want nothing to do with cryptocurrency.

According to a new Gallup survey, just 14% of U.S. adults currently own crypto. That’s a modest increase from previous years, but it still paints a picture of an asset class that remains on the margins of mainstream investment portfolios. Perhaps more telling: 60% of Americans say they have no interest in ever owning cryptocurrency.

The numbers raise an uncomfortable question for the crypto faithful: why, despite technological advances, regulatory clarity, and the involvement of Wall Street titans, does crypto still seem like a bad bet to most people?

The Ghost of FTX Still Haunts Retail Confidence In Crypto

Part of the answer lies in the market’s recent past—a past filled with broken promises and burned portfolios. The 2021 bull market was a frenzy. Dogecoin made headlines, Bitcoin broke all-time highs, and venture capital flooded into the space. But the euphoria didn’t last.

What followed was one of the most brutal drawdowns in financial history. From Celsius to Terra, and the now-notorious FTX implosion, trust was shattered. For many average investors, those events weren’t just headlines—they were cautionary tales. Scams, hacks, rug pulls, and opaque business models became synonymous with the space.

Also read: Best Way To Buy Crypto Safely

Even though the market has since rebounded and big names like BlackRock and Fidelity have jumped in with crypto offerings, retail investors haven’t forgotten the pain. They’re hesitant, and reasonably so.

Institutional Legitimacy Doesn’t Equal Retail Safety

It’s true that institutional adoption has given the digital asset market a veneer of legitimacy. Bitcoin ETFs now trade on traditional exchanges. Major firms are integrating blockchain infrastructure. 

But none of that guarantees safety or reduces volatility. Bitcoin might be on more retirement dashboards, but its price can still swing 10% in a day. The average investor isn’t reading the fine print of custody agreements or understanding liquidity issues on DeFi platforms—they just see a highly speculative asset that could crash overnight.

In fact, Gallup found that among U.S. investors with more than $10,000 in traditional investments, 55% still call digital assets “very risky.” Among all investors, that figure rises to 64%, up from 60% in 2021—despite all the progress.

Knowledge Gaps and Demographic Divides

Crypto’s demographic footprint is also uneven. One in four men aged 18 to 49 own crypto. But for women, older adults, and those without college degrees, ownership plummets. High-income earners and college graduates are more likely to participate, but low-income households remain largely absent.

This suggests that crypto isn’t just a risky asset—it’s also an inaccessible one for many. According to Gallup, nearly everyone surveyed had heard of crypto, but only 35% said they actually understood how it works. That number likely overstates true comprehension, given how many users fall victim to phishing schemes or lose funds due to simple mistakes.

Also read: How Crypto Could Change the Way You Handle Money by 2035 (Even If You Never Buy Any)

In contrast, most Americans understand how stocks and real estate work. That familiarity builds trust. Crypto still feels alien and unforgiving to most.

The Problem Isn’t Access—It’s Assurance

Ironically, digital assets have never been easier to buy. Apps like Robinhood, Coinbase, and even PayPal offer seamless on-ramps. But convenience doesn’t solve the core issue: most Americans don’t feel safe parking their money in something that could disappear overnight—literally or figuratively.

This explains why only 4% of U.S. adults consider crypto the best long-term investment, compared to nearly 60% who own stocks or real estate. Even among those who do own crypto, many still see it as a speculative side bet rather than a foundational asset.

Until that perception changes—until the average investor sees crypto not as a casino but as a stable part of a diversified portfolio—the adoption ceiling may remain stubbornly low.

Also read: Best Cryptos To Buy Now

Final Thoughts

The web3 community often celebrates small victories: a bump in ownership percentages here, a new ETF approval there. But the Gallup survey is a sobering reminder that crypto still has a long road ahead in earning mainstream trust.

Access is no longer the barrier. Assurance is.

Until the average American sees crypto as more than just a gamble, widespread adoption will remain elusive—regardless of how many hedge funds or pension managers climb aboard.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Ecoinimist is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of using the information presented above.