More Americans have tried cryptocurrency, but regular use remains flat, according to a new national survey from the DeFi Education Foundation (DEF) and Ipsos.
The poll found that 22% of US adults have owned or used crypto at some point, up from 18% in 2025. However, active use within the past 12 months held steady at 13%.
Familiarity and DeFi interest
The survey of 1,545 adults was conducted between September 8 and September 16, 2026, and released on October 27, 2026, ahead of the US midterm elections.
Familiarity with crypto remains low: only 9% of respondents described themselves as very or extremely familiar with it. Knowledge of decentralized finance (DeFi) is even thinner, with just 2% saying they feel very familiar with the sector, which uses blockchain software to offer lending, trading, and saving without a traditional bank.
Still, 40% said they would be at least somewhat likely to try DeFi if it were available to them. When asked what they might use it for, respondents most often cited saving money and sending funds within the US.
Trust gap and political messaging
The survey also highlighted a confidence gap in the existing financial system. Only 19% of Americans consider it secure, while 63% said the system needs an upgrade to defend against threats such as cybercrime and artificial intelligence.
Trust in decentralized platforms is low: just 5% reported high trust in them. By comparison, 42% expressed high trust in large national banks, and 48% said the same of credit unions.
Political support for candidates who emphasize innovative financial technology stood at 35%. But when the question specifically mentioned blockchain, crypto, and DeFi, support fell to 13%—a 22-point drop attributed to vocabulary alone.
Implications for the industry
The 40% openness to DeFi is the most encouraging figure for the sector, suggesting a pool of potential users who are unfamiliar rather than hostile. However, the same respondents report almost no trust in decentralized platforms, and willingness to try something differs from willingness to store savings in it.
The 22-point gap between generic fintech messaging and explicit crypto messaging may have practical implications for candidates sympathetic to the industry, who might find broader terms more effective than leading with the word crypto.
The survey was sponsored by the DeFi Education Foundation, an advocacy group focused on decentralized finance, which has an interest in highlighting openness to DeFi and the need for clearer messaging. Nevertheless, several findings—stagnant active use and low trust—run counter to the industry’s preferred narrative.
Future surveys will show whether the 13% active-use figure moves and whether trust in decentralized platforms rises from 5%.
