The adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to gain ground. However, certain generations are more likely to actively participate, such as members of Gen Z, who are overwhelmingly requesting them as Christmas gifts this holiday season—and they’re not the only ones.
Cryptocurrencies and AI for the Holiday Season
The adoption of cryptocurrencies depends on many factors, such as their current integration into traditional finance, the geopolitical and/or regulatory environment to which their holders are exposed, and the generation in question.
This point was once again highlighted in a recent study conducted in the United States by payment giant Visa to assess overall shifts in consumer behavior as the Christmas season approaches—whether regarding preferred gifts or the methods used to select and purchase them.
This study highlights what Visa identifies as “a generational shift in consumer behavior, as well as emerging payment trends for this holiday season.”
Key findings include the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools at “a remarkable pace.”
This holiday season marks a turning point in how Americans shop for and give gifts. Consumers are increasingly incorporating technologies such as AI and cryptocurrencies into their end-of-year traditions.
Gen Z Wants Crypto Under the Tree
As is often the case when it comes to cryptocurrencies, Generation Z (Gen Z)—born between the late 1990s and early 2000s — is at the forefront of cryptocurrency adoption, alongside the use of AI, which, in this case, knows no such generational boundaries, since nearly half of Americans now use it “to enhance their shopping experience.”
When it comes to cryptocurrencies, the shift is more about their established status “as a legitimate and popular gift option,” with Gen Z members clearly determined to “drive a profound reinvention of commerce” in this space.
This “digital-first” shift positions cryptocurrencies as a highly sought-after Christmas gift choice among more than 1 in 4 American shoppers on average—about 28%. This figure soars to 45% for Gen Z, but still stands at 34% for the preceding generation of Millennials.
American Gen Z wants crypto for Christmas
At the same time, Visa also notes a growing preference for digital wallets, with 1 in 5 consumers preferring to use them. Once again, Gen Z leads this trend, with 36% of its members stating they prefer this payment method to traditional physical cards.
Other key findings from this study include that approximately 10% of shoppers surveyed believe that “stablecoins will dominate by 2030,” while 28% expect their use to increase by 2035.
