Not too long ago, crypto was seen as a sideshow. It was something for the tech crowd and the early adopters. Fast forward several years, and the story has completely changed. Crypto assets have proven themselves as a real asset class, and now investors from every generation want a seat at the table. Increased regulatory clarity and government participation have helped instill greater confidence in cryptocurrency and its long-term potential.
For Gen Z, crypto feels like second nature and an extension of the digital worlds they already live in. Millennials, the early champions of adoption, are now in their prime earning years and looking to build long-term wealth. Gen X, once hesitant, has warmed up to crypto as big institutions step in and adoption goes mainstream. And even Baby Boomers, often the most skeptical, are starting to explore convenient and safer ways to get exposure to digital assets.
Crypto has entered the broader financial industry and conversation, with each generation finding its own reason to get involved.
Gen Z: Digital Natives
Gen Z were born into screens, social media, and gaming – the digital world is the only world they know. Crypto doesn’t seem exotic to them; it feels… expected.
According to a Gemini survey, 51% of Gen Z respondents globally reported they currently own or have owned cryptocurrency, significantly higher than the 35% in the general population. This year, YouGov data shows about 42% of Gen Z investors own crypto, compared to only 11% who say they have a retirement account.
For them, digital-first wealth-building is part of the toolkit for reaching long-term financial goals. They’re planting seeds now, with roots that could support steady demand for the following generation, Gen Alpha.
Millennials: The Early Adopters of Crypto
Millennials were among the first to jump into Bitcoin in hype cycles, ICOs, and all the noise. But now that many are in their peak earning and saving years, the mindset is shifting. With mortgages, family planning, and retirement savings on the horizon, crypto is becoming more about portfolio diversification.
In one poll, 39% of millennials owned crypto, a rate that puts them on par with or could exceed many stock-owning peers.
For some, the early bets on Bitcoin and Ethereum have turned into meaningful gains, giving them a head start in wealth building. That success may be pushing this generation to think more strategically about how crypto assets fit into tax planning, diversification, and retirement.
Generation X: Cautious but Convinced
Gen X used to approach crypto with hesitation, often watching from the sidelines as younger investors jumped in. But with mainstream adoption, institutional recognition, and clearer regulation, many are jumping into crypto and diversifying their portfolio.
Surveys show that around 57% of Gen Xers invest in the stock market, while 24% report owning or having owned cryptocurrency. The gap highlights their continued preference for equities, but it also shows meaningful inroads for crypto assets among a generation once viewed as reluctant.
Part of this shift is influenced by the current economic landscape, where headlines are dominated by the rise of artificial intelligence, big tech, and even early-stage quantum computing. These transformative innovations are reshaping how investors think about long-term growth. Compared to traditional investments that often feel stagnant or flat, forward-looking assets offer exposure to sectors and technologies that are only beginning to unfold. Gen X investors, who have already witnessed the wealth creation tied to earlier waves of innovation, are recognizing that the future may lie in aligning portfolios with these next-generation opportunities.
Boomers: Testing the Waters
Boomers remain the most cautious cohort, but even here, change is underway. In 2022, a survey showed that only about 4% of Baby Boomers owned crypto, compared to much higher adoption among younger generations. Today, that figure has climbed closer to 9%, reflecting steady, if cautious, growth in participation.
While they may not move as quickly or in the same volume as younger groups, their involvement carries weight. Boomers control the largest share of household wealth in the U.S., so even modest allocations can have an outsized impact. When this generation begins directing even a portion of its capital into digital assets, it reinforces the idea that crypto is no longer an outsider’s game but a recognized part of mainstream finance.
A Clearer Path Forward For Crypto in the US
The spike in adoption across generations is no accident. In 2025, the U.S. has become noticeably more crypto-friendly.
Regulatory clarity has improved, giving investors and institutions more confidence that the industry is maturing. Banks, asset managers, and payment providers are integrating digital assets into their offerings, like the Spot Crypto ETFs, entering the financial mainstream.
Momentum has also been fueled by a policy environment that leans pro-crypto. A presidential administration openly supporting digital assets, with Trump declaring that the U.S. will be “the crypto capital of the world”, combined with leadership at the SEC and other agencies signaling a more constructive approach, has shifted the tone in Washington. With a pro-crypto president and regulatory chairs emphasizing innovation alongside investor protection, the U.S. is positioning itself as one of the most important jurisdictions for digital asset growth.
Together, these shifts help explain why adoption is accelerating. Clearer rules, institutional involvement, and supportive leadership have become powerful catalysts, drawing all the generations (from Gen Z to Baby Boomers) and the future of other generations to come.
A Platform for Every Generation
As adoption expands across generations, the question becomes where all investors, regardless of generation, can confidently participate. Many crypto companies function only as exchanges, focused on short-term activity. But different generations bring different goals, from Gen Z taking first steps, to Millennials building wealth, to Gen X and Boomers planning for retirement. They need a platform that meets them where they are.
With past hesitation now giving way to growing interest, different generations are seeking platforms that meet their needs, from ease of use and access to a wide range of crypto assets to security as the top priority.
One company that consistently stands out in addressing these requirements is iTrustCapital. The platform makes it simple to buy and sell cryptocurrency while offering both secure Premium Custody Accounts and tax-advantaged* Crypto IRAs, giving investors confidence as they integrate digital assets into their long-term strategies.
Premium Custody Account (PCA)
- A secure, user-friendly way to buy, sell, and store crypto 24/7, without the risks associated with self-custody or reliance on centralized exchanges.
- Unlike traditional crypto exchanges, where assets can be moved to external wallets by users or exploited through unauthorized access, Premium Custody Account (PCA) operates within a closed-loop system.
- With no external wallet connections, it helps mitigate the risk of funds being drained from a compromised account.
- USD is secured by third-party, US-based custodians, and crypto assets are secured by third-party institutional storage providers.
- Get support from real people, no AI bots, through iTrustCapital’s award-winning U.S.-based client service team.
Crypto IRA
- A retirement account that allows investors to buy and sell cryptocurrencies within a tax-advantaged structure.
- Just like a traditional IRA, contributions and withdrawals are governed by IRS rules, but the underlying assets are digital.
- Depending on the account type, gains can grow tax-deferred in a Traditional IRA or tax-free in a Roth IRA.
- Get support from real people, no AI bots, through iTrustCapital’s award-winning U.S.-based client service team.
Here’s why that matters. When you buy and sell crypto in a regular, taxable account, every sale can trigger capital gains taxes.
- For example, if you bought $10,000 worth of Bitcoin and later sold it at $100,000, you could owe taxes on the $90,000 gain. Inside a Roth Crypto IRA, that same $90,000 gain could be tax-free if the account rules are met.
With both options under one roof, iTrustCapital gives every generation of investors a trusted way to participate in crypto. It has become the modern platform of choice, meeting today’s needs through secure custody and retirement planning, with more innovation likely to come.
Whether you’re just getting started or planning for the decades ahead, iTrustCapital’s platform is built to help investors take part in the future of finance.
Click here to learn more.
*Some taxes may apply.
iTrustCapital is a fintech software platform for alternative assets. iTrustCapital is not an exchange, funding portal, custodian, trust company, licensed broker, dealer, broker-dealer, investment advisor, investment manager, or adviser in the United States or elsewhere.. iTrustCapital is not affiliated with and does not endorse any particular digital asset, precious metal or investment strategy.
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