On Wednesday in Las Vegas, Vice President JD Vance joined Donald Trump’s sons at a crypto-focused conference to advocate for the technology’s potential. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unleash innovation and use it to improve the lives of countless American citizens,” Vance told attendees. According to the numbers, there’s a long way to go.
The Trump campaign has made recent efforts to appeal to crypto enthusiasts. Last week, former President Trump hosted a private dinner for buyers of his meme coin, further signaling the campaign’s embrace of digital assets. In a notable regulatory move on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor also withdrew previous guidance that had cautioned employers against offering cryptocurrency investments in employee 401(k) plans.
Recent data shows that cryptocurrency use in the United States remains limited, despite growing political attention. According to national survey figures, about 17% of U.S. adults—roughly 1 in 6—have ever invested in or used cryptocurrency. Of that group, only about half, or 8%, have engaged with crypto in the past year.
Demographics indicate that crypto use is most common among men aged 18 to 29, while adoption is lowest among women aged 50 and older, according to Pew Research.
Crypto may not be everywhere, but it’s gaining traction in Washington.