A recent Ipsos survey indicates that support for cryptocurrency among Americans remains significantly lower than for general financial technology innovation. The DeFi Education Foundation, an advocacy group focused on decentralized finance, published the findings ahead of the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. Ipsos conducted the research with 1,545 American adults through its KnowledgePanel between September 8 and 16.
Fintech Outshines Crypto in Voter Interest
According to the survey, 35% of respondents consider political candidates’ backing of financial technology as important. However, when specifically asked about cryptocurrency, blockchain, and decentralized finance, only 13% expressed that the candidates’ positions on these issues matter to them.
Media observers like journalist Eleanor Terrett pointed to a branding problem for the digital asset sector, emphasizing that the wide gap in support stems from the language used in survey questions rather than specific political proposals.
Americans show more enthusiasm for financial innovation when described in broad terms, but enthusiasm is limited once the conversation moves toward digital assets like cryptocurrency and DeFi.
It remains crucial to interpret these results carefully. Openness to financial technology does not automatically mean support for digital assets and vice versa. Other recent surveys reinforce this trend, with a May poll finding only 4% of adults viewed support for cryptocurrencies as important, while a June Digital Currency Group poll found that 40% considered crypto relevant to their voting choices for the first time.
Trust, Privacy, and Control in Financial Services
When evaluating trust in the current US financial system, only 19% of survey participants said they considered the system safe. A majority, 63%, felt that significant improvements are needed to address emerging economic and technological challenges.
The same survey highlighted ongoing concerns about privacy and control over money. About 62% of respondents said privacy for their information in transactions was important, and 66% wanted full access to their money. However, only 49% believed they had true control over their own finances today.
Artificial intelligence also emerged as a potential risk for financial firms: 54% of those polled expressed worry that their sensitive data may not be protected from AI-related breaches.
Mini dictionary: DeFi Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization advocating for open and decentralized financial systems through education, policy engagement, and research.
Public Knowledge and Use of Crypto Remain Modest
Despite privacy and control concerns, few Americans reported deep familiarity or trust in digital assets. Only 9% claimed a strong understanding of cryptocurrency, and just 5% expressed trust in decentralized systems.
The survey also measured cryptocurrency usage and ownership. In 2026, 22% said they had ever used or owned digital assets, compared to 18% in the previous year. Usage within the last twelve months remained stable at 13%, indicating no significant one-year growth.
The Federal Reserve’s 2025 household survey also found 10% of adults used or owned cryptocurrencies, though differing survey periods and methods caution against direct comparisons.
| Year | Ever Used/Owned Crypto | Used in Last 12 Months |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Fed) | 10% | Data not specified |
| 2025 (DEF/Ipsos) | 18% | 13% |
| 2026 (DEF/Ipsos) | 22% | 13% |
Interest in cryptocurrency learning did not show major differences by party affiliation. The data shows 17% of Republicans and 16% of Democrats showed interest, while 24% of Republicans and 21% of Democrats reported either owning or using crypto assets.
Potential Use and Future Adoption of DeFi
Ipsos’s findings show a measured willingness among Americans to try decentralized finance as it becomes more accessible. About 40% indicated some willingness to experiment with DeFi once available. Of those, 85% identified saving money as a potential use case, up from 77% in 2025. Domestic transfers followed, with 82% choosing sending funds to friends and family as a top reason, compared to 73% in August 2025.
The poll, with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points, included demographic and political controls and compared data between its 2025 and 2026 editions, drawing on surveys of over 1,300 adults in each period.
