CoinDesk
Only 19% of Americans say the US financial system is secure, while 63% believe it needs upgrades to address threats such as cybercrime and AI, according to a national survey by the DeFi Education Fund. The study also found that 22% have owned or used crypto, up from 18% in 2025, and 40% would be at least somewhat likely to try decentralized finance (DeFi).
Why it matters
The findings point to a mismatch between interest in new financial tools and familiarity with them: fewer than 1 in 10 respondents said they were extremely or very familiar with crypto. For advisers, that creates an opening to explain how emerging options work, including their risks, rather than assuming clients already understand them.
Respondents also expressed demand for more control and transparency. Two-thirds want access to their money at all times, 80% said changes are needed to give people more control over personal data, and 74% consider financial privacy important. Only 31% strongly agreed that the financial system works well for people like them, while 14% believed financial institutions charge reasonable fees.
Market impact
Among people likely to try DeFi, 85% would use it to save money, 82% to send money to family or friends in the US, and 82% to earn interest. Those responses suggest interest in familiar financial uses, not only speculative trading, though stated interest does not guarantee adoption.
Generational differences may shape demand: 42% of Gen Z respondents were extremely or very satisfied with the current system, compared with 63% of boomers. Gen Z respondents were also more than four times as likely to be interested in learning about DeFi, at 13% versus 3%. The survey's signal for advisers is practical: clients may be curious about alternatives, but clear explanations of access, control and risk remain essential.
Frequently asked questions
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How many Americans in the survey said they had used crypto?
Twenty-two percent said they had owned or used crypto, up from 18% in 2025. Fewer than 1 in 10 said they were extremely or very familiar with it.
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What uses of DeFi appealed to respondents open to trying it?
Among respondents likely to try DeFi, 85% cited saving money, 82% sending money to family or friends in the US, and 82% earning interest.
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What did respondents say about access to money and financial privacy?
Two-thirds wanted access to their money at all times, 80% said changes were needed to give people more control over personal data, and 74% considered financial privacy important.
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How did Gen Z respondents compare with boomers on satisfaction?
Forty-two percent of Gen Z respondents were extremely or very satisfied with the financial system, compared with 63% of boomers.
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How did Gen Z interest in learning about DeFi compare with boomers?
Gen Z respondents were more than four times as likely as boomers to be interested in learning about DeFi: 13% versus 3%.
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