As cryptocurrency gains mainstream traction, a recent survey indicates growing consumer interest in crypto as a holiday gift.
The poll found that 17% of Americans would prefer receiving crypto over traditional gift cards this season, while 31% believe crypto gifts would be less likely to go unused.
Among current crypto holders, enthusiasm for gifting remains high: 65% have given, plan to give, or are considering gifting crypto this year, and 50% have received or expect to receive it themselves.
Respondents cited multiple advantages of crypto gifts, including potential growth (58%), greater flexibility for spending or investing (54%), easier digital storage (49%), a more exciting gift (45%), and faster sending or receiving (40%).
Crypto advocate Stuart Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association, noted that crypto is a modern take on a classic holiday gift—fast, secure, and with growth potential.
He also highlighted that education will be critical to broader adoption, pointing out that 17% would prefer crypto as a gift, yet 38% do not understand how crypto works and 36% do not know how to gift it.
The association is pursuing educational efforts to address these gaps.
The holiday role of crypto extends beyond gifting; 23% of consumers expect to shop with crypto this season, and 19% plan to do so within the next year, with holders showing even higher intent at 62%.
PayPal’s May Zabaneh said the holidays underscore crypto’s growing relevance for gifts, payments to merchants, and cross-border transactions, emphasizing PayPal’s commitment to simplifying these experiences.
Additional considerations include broader payment behavior: 83% of Americans have gifted money domestically, with 28% gifting internationally, and respondents cited lower fees (36%), faster processing (34%), and enhanced privacy (38%) as reasons to explore new payment methods.
The survey also highlights age-related differences: 22% of adults aged 18-54 plan to gift crypto in the next 12 months, and 30% of 18-54 year-olds plan to shop with crypto.
Among this group, 41% would be excited to receive crypto, compared with 9% of those aged 55 and older.
The data suggest a shift in attitudes toward crypto among younger consumers, while older generations remain more cautious.
The study concludes that education and security messaging could help overcome remaining barriers, potentially expanding crypto gifting and shopping across a broader audience.
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