One in five American adults has invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrencies for payments, according to a new poll conducted for NBC News.
The poll shows the growing popularity of digital assets with consumers even as lawmakers in Washington, D.C. warn of market risks and threaten to regulate the cryptocurrency industry.
Half of men between the ages of 18 and 49 said they have dabbled in cryptocurrencies, the highest share of all demographic groups.
The fact that 21% of the 1,000 Americans polled said they have at least once used or invested in a cryptocurrency shows how the relatively young industry has taken off in recent years. Digital assets have spread as lawmakers work to introduce new rules for the market.
Cryptocurrency proponents say digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and stablecoins offer better transaction speeds, lower costs, privacy, security and an opportunity to provide underbanked communities with financial services.
However, without appropriate regulations, the cryptocurrency market is akin to the “Wild West,” according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner (SEC) Gary Gensler, who has repeatedly threatened to regulate the industry.
That may be why only 19% of people polled by NBC News said they view crypto positively and 25% indicated they view it in a negative light. Most people surveyed (56%) said they feel neutral or that they aren’t sure about the cryptocurrency industry.
