Key Highlights
- Gen Z and Millennials trust crypto much more than Boomers, with around 40% saying they trust it a lot compared to only 9% of Boomers.
- Younger generations see crypto as the future, with over half believing it could rival or surpass traditional banks.
- These users plan to trade more and value platform security, while Boomers focus on rules and legal protections.
Younger Americans are embracing cryptocurrencies with far more confidence than older generations, according to a new survey from OKX.
The survey included 1,000 participants and was conducted in January 2026. The findings show that 40% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials trust crypto a lot. By comparison, only 9% of Baby Boomers said the same, making younger generations about five times more likely to trust crypto than older Americans.
The trend reverses when it comes to traditional banks. Almost three-fourths (74%) of the Boomer population claim they trust banks, which is eight times more than the number of people who trust cryptocurrencies. Only about one in five Gen Z and Millennials feel the same about conventional banks.
Roshan Robert, CEO of OKX US, told The Crypto Times that for Gen Z, trust isn’t built on slogans or the longevity of bank branches, but through transparency.
He said, “For Gen Z, trust will be earned through transparency and control, not slogans and branch longevity. The institutions that adapt to this reality can still be at the center of financial life for younger customers. But those that don’t will increasingly serve a shrinking, aging customer base while the next generation builds its own financial ecosystem elsewhere.”
Viewing crypto as the future
It’s not just about who trusts crypto. It’s about how people see the future of money. Over half of Gen Z (52%) and Millennials (50%) think cryptocurrencies could one day challenge or even surpass traditional banks.
Boomers, by contrast, are sticking with what they know. Only 28% share this optimism, while 71% expect banks to remain the cornerstone of the financial system for years to come.
Confidence in crypto among younger generations is also on the rise. Compared with last year, 36% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials say they feel more comfortable using crypto, while only 6% of Boomers report the same, and nearly half (49%) say their trust hasn’t changed.
Trading plans show the gap
The survey also highlights differences in trading plans. Around 40% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials plan to step up their crypto activity in 2026, compared with only 11% of Boomers. Younger users clearly feel more optimistic and ready to take action.
Part of the difference comes down to what each group values most. Younger people prioritize platform security, with 59% of Gen Z and 50% of Millennials citing it as most important. Boomers care more about rules and legal protections, with 65% naming it as their top concern.
When asked what crypto does better than traditional finance, nearly half of Boomers said “none.” Just 6% of Gen Z agreed. For younger users, this comes down to practical benefits such as 24/7 access, ease of cross-border transfers, and flexibility that most banks can’t match.
Even if older generations remain cautious, the survey suggests that crypto’s growth will be driven by those who trust it most. The younger, digitally native generations are shaping the future of finance.
Also Read: Trump at Davos 2026: New Crypto Legislation Coming “Very Soon”
