New research from Security.org shows 28% of American adults owned crypto in 2024, signaling growing mainstream adoption and increased interest in altcoins like Dogecoin and Solana.
New research from Security.org shows 28% of American adults owned crypto in 2024, signaling growing mainstream adoption and increased interest in altcoins like Dogecoin and Solana.
According to a recent report by Security.org, the cryptocurrency market continues to captivate the masses’ imagination.
The security review and research platform has been tracking some of the biggest trends in crypto for the last five years. Following the publication of its fifth annual consumer sentiment report, we now know that 28% of American adults owned at least one cryptocurrency in 2024.
That figure equates to more than 65 million people, which is more than double the number of crypto owners surveyed at the end of 2021.
The increase in ownership follows the continued growth of large-market-cap cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. In fact, this seemingly linear relationship is supported by further findings from the Security.org report.
More People Are Holding More Tokens
As noted, 74% of crypto owners surveyed hold Bitcoin, while 49% have at least a fraction of one Ethereum token. While those figures keep Bitcoin and Ethereum top of the popularity stakes, it’s interesting to note that their market share has dipped slightly. Comparing 2022 to 2025, we can see Bitcoin ownership has dropped from 77%. Similarly, Ethereum ownership has fallen from 65% to 49%.
These trends suggest a broadening of the market, with people taking more interest in altcoins. Delving into the statistics, Dogecoin is now the third most popular cryptocurrency in the US, with 31% of those surveyed holding the token. That number is up from 26% in 2024. Solana has also attracted interest from crypto owners. Now fourth on the table, the number of holders has risen from 11% in 2022 to 18% in 2025.
There are, as always, a variety of reasons for the growth and subsequent diversification of crypto ownership in the US. Mainstream media coverage, particularly of Bitcoin’s price surge in January 2025, continues to fuel interest. As stated in Security.org’s report, 14% of non-crypto holders surveyed intend to buy some in 2025, while 60% of those with a stake in the market plan to invest more.
The Political Climate Could Help Crypto
President Donald Trump is another reason for the broadening appeal of cryptocurrencies among new and inexperienced traders. 59% of current crypto owners believe the Trump Administration will be beneficial for the industry. Of those who don’t own any cryptocurrencies, 39% feel President Trump will help mainstream adoption. Among the reasons cited for President Trump’s potential impact on the market are favorable financial regulations and the appointment of crypto-friendly advisors like David Sacks.
Positive sentiment and FOMO are important for the industry’s growth. However, they count for very little if people don’t have easy access to the market. That’s why technology is another critical driver of growth. Today, it’s noticeably easier to have a stake in the crypto market than it used to be. We’re now at a point where users can buy and sell tokens in seconds via their mobile.
For example, across the US border, Canadians can trade dozens of tokens via Newton Crypto. Launched in the wake of Bitcoin’s 2017 price surge, the owners had one aim: to make crypto accessible to everyone. From “sketchy websites” and unnecessary fees to convoluted deposit processes, the barrier to entry was too high for the average person. The team at Newton.co set about creating a transparent trading platform with low fees and an intuitive interface.
Security Standards Provide Peace of Mind
Perhaps most important is the fact that many crypto trading apps and exchanges are now regulated. Organizations such as the Ontario Securities Commission and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have developed rules and regulations that cover crypto assets. With governments increasingly pushing operators to hold licenses, these regulations are becoming standard codes of practice. This regulatory oversight has undoubtedly improved the public perception of cryptocurrencies.
Consumers now have a layer of protection that didn’t exist before. Regulated platforms must also comply with security standards, which, again, improves the image of crypto trading as an industry. Then, of course, there are general improvements to the usability of trading platforms. Mobile apps have made it incredibly easy for users to tap and swipe their way through dozens of different tokens, price charts, news articles, and staking opportunities.
Are we at a point where cryptocurrencies are as accessible or popular as traditional financial instruments such as commodities and shares? Not yet, but the market is gaining traction. Technology has made the process of buying and selling significantly easier than it was a few years ago. Time and, to some extent, stability are the only things preventing Bitcoin et al. from being as popular as traditional financial instruments.
Time Is On Our Side
We can’t speed up time. We simply have to wait for crypto technology to etch itself into the foundations of our financial system. We’re less than 20 years into decentralized values of exchange. That’s a blink of an eye compared to gold, stocks, and other assets woven into the fiat banking system. With time comes stability. Price fluctuations are what generate headlines, but they can also cause a certain amount of uncertainty.
Therefore, as crypto technology evolves and becomes more ingrained in society, we can expect volatility to decrease. When this happens, those less familiar with the ups and downs of financial markets should come to see cryptocurrencies as viable investments. Again, this will take time. The point, however, is that the market is moving in this direction. The statistics support the assumption that cryptocurrencies are becoming more popular with experienced traders and, more importantly, the general public.
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