Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that cryptocurrency has become a mainstream part of American finance, citing an estimate that over 67 million Americans own digital assets. This estimate comes from the National Cryptocurrency Association's 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report, which was developed with The Harris Poll.
The report found that roughly one in four American adults own cryptocurrency, representing an increase of about 12 million owners from the association's 2025 figure. The survey of 10,000 U.S. adults who identified themselves as current cryptocurrency holders found that 63% were more interested in using cryptocurrency in 2026 than they had been one year earlier.
Research findings
The research also found changes in the gender profile of newer participants, with women representing 42% of people who first acquired cryptocurrency in 2025 or 2026. Additionally, ownership was not limited to the highest income categories, with 90% of surveyed holders earning less than $500,000 annually, and 23% earning $75,000 or less.
Regulatory developments
Garlinghouse's comments came as the administration pressed Congress to advance the CLARITY Act, a proposed federal framework for dividing cryptocurrency oversight between the SEC and CFTC. The SEC has also proposed Regulation Crypto Assets, which would create tailored registration exemptions for certain cryptocurrency investment contract offerings.
