US Crypto Adoption Sees a Resurgence, With Bitcoin Remaining the Dominant Player

According to a new retail survey conducted by Deutsche Bank, covering 3,400 consumers across the US, UK, and EU, crypto adoption in the US has experienced a notable comeback, with participation rates recovering to 12% in March from a February low of 7%. This rebound brings the adoption rate back to levels last seen in July 2025, although it still falls short of the all-time high of 14% recorded in the survey's history, which dates back to 2023. The report highlights a resurgence in bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with net inflows of approximately $1.3 billion in March, indicating renewed institutional demand following a sluggish start to the year. Analysts Marion Laboure and Camilla Siazon noted in the report that US crypto adoption rates have recovered in March, after steadily declining since July 2025. The stabilization of crypto prices, particularly bitcoin, which rose roughly 9% in March to recover toward the $70,000 level, has been driven by renewed institutional demand and geopolitical factors. However, the recovery remains uneven, with prices facing resistance around the mid-$70,000 range and macro pressures, including higher interest rates and energy-driven inflation, continuing to impact crypto and broader risk assets. Trends in other regions, such as the UK and Europe, were more subdued, with adoption rates dipping slightly in the UK to 9% and remaining steady in Europe 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 by the end of 2026. Bitcoin remains the central player in the crypto market, with approximately 70% of crypto investors holding the asset, and 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, continue to compete for investor attention, although 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, but the report notes gradual gains among women and lower-income investors, with younger consumers, particularly in the UK, showing the fastest growth in participation.