Younger generations show stronger crypto adoption trends
A new survey from OKX reveals some pretty clear generational divides when it comes to cryptocurrency. The data shows that Gen Z is much more likely to increase their crypto trading activity in 2026 compared to older generations. About 40% of Gen Z respondents said they plan to trade more crypto this year, which is interesting when you look at the numbers for other age groups.
Millennials came in at 36%, which is still fairly high, but baby boomers were way down at just 11%. That’s a pretty stark difference, I think. It makes sense when you consider how each generation grew up with different financial systems. Younger people have always had digital options, while older folks remember when everything was paper-based and local.
Trust patterns vary dramatically by age
The trust metrics are perhaps even more revealing. About 40% of Gen Z and 41% of millennials gave crypto platforms high trust scores. That’s a solid showing, especially when you compare it to the 9% of boomers who felt the same way.
But here’s the flip side: traditional banks got high trust scores from 74% of boomers. Only 22% of Gen Z and 21% of millennials reported low trust in banks, which suggests they’re not completely abandoning traditional finance either. It’s more like they’re keeping options open, maybe.
Different priorities shape trust decisions
What people value in financial platforms varies quite a bit by generation. Security was the top priority for Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X. That makes sense to me – younger people have grown up with data breaches and online security concerns being regular news.
Boomers, on the other hand, most valued regulation and legal protection. An OKX spokesperson explained this difference pretty well: “Regulation matters more to boomers because their trust model is strongly tied to oversight and institutional legitimacy.” They added that clearer rules could help address concerns about consumer protection and custody issues.
Long-term outlook shows generational divide
The survey also looked at long-term beliefs about crypto’s potential. About 52% of Gen Z and 50% of millennials believe crypto could one day match or beat traditional finance. Only 28% of boomers agreed with that view.
Meanwhile, 71% of boomers said banks will stay the main part of the financial system. That’s a pretty strong vote of confidence in the existing system from that generation.
There’s also a difference in how each generation views crypto’s practical benefits. Nearly half of boomers said crypto solves “none” of the problems in traditional finance. Compare that to just 6% of Gen Z who felt the same way.
Tokenization’s potential role
The OKX spokesperson mentioned tokenization as something that could bridge some of these gaps. “Tokenization can make markets more open and efficient,” they said. “You can lower minimums, fractionalize exposure to things like funds or Treasuries, and make assets available 24/7 on global rails instead of inside a local branch.”
They added that if designed well, tokenization could reduce friction and expand participation. That might appeal to younger generations who value accessibility and convenience, while also addressing some of the regulatory concerns that matter to older users.
The spokesperson made a good point about trust building over time: “Trust ultimately sticks when platforms prove safety, reliability, and transparency in everyday user experiences.” That seems like something all generations could agree on, regardless of their current crypto adoption levels.
These findings come as crypto continues to move further into mainstream finance. More trading platforms, investment products, and major companies are offering access to digital assets. The generational differences highlighted in this survey might shape how these offerings evolve to meet different user needs and expectations.
