Poll Reveals Cryptocurrency Ownership Skewed Toward Young Men and Republicans
A recent NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey highlights significant demographic divides among U.S. cryptocurrency owners, showing that ownership is predominantly concentrated among younger people, men, and Republicans.
The poll found that only a small fraction of adults regularly own or trade cryptocurrency, with just 2% reporting consistent involvement and an additional 11% saying they engage occasionally. Another 21% express interest, while about two-thirds of adults neither own nor have interest in crypto.
Gender disparities are especially pronounced. Men are much more likely than women to own or trade cryptocurrencies — 18% of men versus 7% of women overall. Among men under 30 years old, 20% report ownership or trading, compared to only 6% of women in the same age group. The gap continues in the 30-44 age range, where 26% of men participate compared to 13% of women.
The poll also revealed marked differences along political lines. Republicans are twice as likely as Democrats to own or trade cryptocurrencies (18% vs. 9%). This may relate in part to the Trump administration’s recent efforts to embrace digital currencies and the crypto ventures launched by Trump and his family.
These findings correspond with other surveys such as one by Gallup, which found that about 17% of Americans owned some form of cryptocurrency in mid-2025, nearly tripling since 2021. Gallup stressed that crypto ownership tends to be higher among men aged 18 to 49 and wealthier households earning over $90,000 annually.
Experts emphasize the differences between cryptocurrencies and traditional investments. Stocks have a long regulatory history and predictable cash flow support, whereas cryptocurrencies remain relatively volatile and less regulated. Financial advisors warn investors, especially those nearing retirement, to be cautious with crypto investments due to their high risk.
While most Americans currently view cryptocurrency as risky, ongoing legislative efforts like the GENIUS Act and proposed regulations aiming to secure stablecoins may foster greater mainstream acceptance in the future.
In summary, cryptocurrency remains a niche investment primarily favored by younger males and political conservatives, but interest is growing as the market and regulatory landscape evolves.