Crypto Adoption in 2025: Payments and AI

Key Findings from the Reown Report

Reown launched its report titled “The State of Onchain UX” primarily based on a survey of 1,038 energetic crypto users. These customers are from the US and the UK, and the survey occurred in February 2025.

Right here’s what the customers imagine will drive mass adoption:

As seen within the desk above, funds lead the checklist. Many customers now use crypto not simply to commerce but in addition to pay for issues. The truth is, 54% of the surveyed customers use crypto for real-world funds. That’s a robust signal that persons are beginning to belief it extra for on a regular basis use.

Rise of Stablecoins and Pockets Utilization

Stablecoins, that are digital belongings tied to steady currencies just like the U.S. greenback, are gaining recognition. Final 12 months, solely 20% of customers mentioned they used stablecoins. This 12 months, the quantity jumped to 37%.

Pockets utilization can be rising. On common, customers now handle extra wallets than they did in 2024. Many do that for higher safety. Round 44% now use a number of wallets – up from 32.8% final 12 months.

AI’s Position in Crypto Adoption

Artificial intelligence is one other space customers are enthusiastic about. Round 35% imagine AI will assist drive crypto adoption. Nevertheless, opinions are combined on the subject of how properly AI and blockchain can work collectively:

• 29% imagine AI and blockchain will complement one another.
• Solely 18% suppose crypto will play a key function in AI’s development.

So whereas there’s curiosity on this space, there’s additionally uncertainty.

Regulation and Authorities Involvement

Authorities help performs an enormous function too. Since President Donald Trump returned to workplace, regulation has turn into a key matter. The SEC created a crypto process pressure, and Chairman Paul Atkins has labeled crypto regulation a prime precedence.

This authorities focus appears to spice up person confidence:

• 86% imagine regulation will help mainstream adoption.
• Solely 14% fear it’d gradual innovation.

Main Boundaries to Widespread Adoption

Even with rising curiosity, some hurdles stay. Customers highlighted these primary obstacles:

Whereas 69% of customers now really feel safer utilizing crypto in comparison with 50.5% final 12 months, phishing assaults are rising. Stories of phishing rose from 14.4% to 21%. These numbers present that whereas confidence is rising, dangers nonetheless exist.

Interoperability is one other key concern. Many blockchains don’t work properly with one another. This makes it onerous for customers to maneuver belongings throughout platforms. About 47% say higher interoperability is essential. Nonetheless, solely 14% see it as one of many prime issues that have to be solved.

What Must Change?

The report concludes that crypto should turn into extra sensible to draw new customers. Builders ought to give attention to:

• Decreasing transaction charges
• Making platforms safer
• Enhancing person expertise
• Constructing real-world use circumstances like cost and social apps

Curiously, there’s nonetheless a niche between what customers count on and the way they use crypto at the moment. Many nonetheless focus primarily on buying and selling, despite the fact that they need apps that make on a regular basis life simpler.

The crypto area is rising past buying and selling. Payments, AI, and regulation are pushing it ahead. Nevertheless, issues like excessive charges, safety dangers, and poor interoperability have to be addressed.

With 67% of customers feeling optimistic, the longer term seems to be vibrant. If the trade focuses on actual wants, the following wave of adoption may be nearer than we expect.