US Crypto Adoption Sees a Revival, With Bitcoin Maintaining Its Dominance

A recent survey conducted by Deutsche Bank indicates that cryptocurrency adoption in the US has made a significant comeback, despite cautious sentiments surrounding price expectations. The survey, which polled 3,400 consumers across the US, UK, and EU, found that US participation had rebounded to 12% in March from a low of 7% in February, mirroring levels last seen in July 2025. Notably, the report highlighted that adoption rates have never exceeded 14% in the survey's history, dating back to 2023. Furthermore, bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a resurgence in March, attracting approximately $1.3 billion in net inflows, signaling renewed institutional interest following a slow start to the year. Analysts Marion Laboure and Camilla Siazon noted in the report that US crypto adoption rates recovered in March after steadily declining since July 2025. Following a volatile start to 2026, crypto prices have shown signs of stabilization, with March marking a tentative rebound driven by renewed institutional demand and geopolitical factors. Bitcoin saw a roughly 9% increase in March, recovering towards the $70,000 mark after earlier declines, although it remains over 20% down year-to-date and well below its late-2025 peak above $120,000. More recently, prices have surged into the mid-$70,000s, briefly exceeding $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, a level analysts consider crucial for further upside. At the same time, macro pressures, including higher interest rates and energy-driven inflation, continue to impact crypto and broader risk assets. Trends in the UK and Europe were more subdued, with adoption in the UK dipping slightly to 9% but remaining structurally higher in the long term, while Europe held steady at 7%. Despite the rebound in participation, consumer sentiment on bitcoin's price outlook remains subdued, with a majority of respondents 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, a level last seen in early 2023. Only a small minority, around 3% in the US, anticipate a return to record highs near $120,000. Bitcoin continues to dominate 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, such as gold and the S&P 500, remain 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.