US Crypto Adoption Sees a Resurgence, with Bitcoin Maintaining its Dominance

A recent retail survey conducted by Deutsche Bank, covering 3,400 consumers across the US, UK, and EU, reveals that crypto adoption in the US has experienced a notable comeback. The survey found that US participation rates rebounded to 12% in March, up from a February low of 7%, thereby returning to levels last seen in July 2025. Moreover, the data indicates that adoption rates have not exceeded 14% in the survey's history, which dates back to 2023. The report also highlights a resurgence in bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in March, with net inflows of approximately $1.3 billion, signaling a renewal of institutional demand following a sluggish start to the year. Analysts Marion Laboure and Camilla Siazon noted in their report that 'US crypto adoption rates recovered in March, after steadily declining since July 2025.' Crypto prices have shown signs of stabilization after a volatile start to 2026, with the previous month marking a tentative rebound driven by renewed institutional demand and geopolitical tailwinds. Bitcoin experienced a roughly 9% increase in March, recovering toward the $70,000 level after earlier declines, although it remains down over 20% year-to-date and well below its late-2025 peak above $120,000. More recently, prices have pushed higher into the mid-$70,000s, briefly surpassing $77,000 amid easing geopolitical tensions and improving risk sentiment. However, the recovery has been uneven, with prices repeatedly testing resistance around the mid-$70,000 range. Analysts point to this level as a key breakout threshold for further upside, while macro pressures, including higher-for-longer interest rates and energy-driven inflation, continue to weigh on crypto alongside broader risk assets. Elsewhere, trends were more subdued, with UK adoption dipping slightly to 9% but remaining structurally higher over the long term, and Europe holding steady at 7%. Despite the rebound in participation, consumer sentiment on bitcoin's price outlook is subdued, with a majority of respondents across regions expecting bitcoin to trade lower than current levels near $75,000 by the end of 2026. In the US, 19% of respondents see prices landing between $20,000 and $60,000, while 13% expect a drop below $20,000. Only a small minority, around 3% in the US, anticipate a return to record highs near $120,000. Bitcoin remains firmly at the center of the crypto market, with roughly 70% of crypto investors across regions holding bitcoin, far exceeding ownership of stablecoins such as USDT or USDC. It is also the top choice for future investment, cited by 69% of US respondents. Traditional assets continue to compete for investor attention, with gold and the S&P 500 remaining favored overall, though the gap has narrowed in the US, where preferences are more evenly split across the three. Demographically, crypto adoption remains skewed toward men and higher-income households, though the report noted gradual gains among women and lower-income investors. Younger consumers, particularly in the UK, showed the fastest growth in participation.