Crypto is stepping into the holiday spotlight. A new PayPal and National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults says 17% would rather receive cryptocurrency than a gift card this season, signaling growing comfort with digital assets for gifting and shopping.
Key numbers at a glance
- 17% prefer crypto over traditional gift cards.
- About 1 in 4 have given or are considering gifting crypto this year.
- 31% think crypto gifts are less likely to sit unused.
- Among current owners, roughly 65% plan to give or are considering gifting crypto; about half expect to receive it themselves.
- Top reasons to gift crypto: 58% see upside potential, 54% like the flexibility to spend or invest, 49% want to avoid lost/expired cards, 45% say it's a more exciting gift, and 40% point to fast delivery.
"The holidays highlight the power of giving, and digital currencies are quickly becoming a preferred choice," said May Zabaneh, Vice President and General Manager of Crypto at PayPal. "Crypto makes sending gifts, paying merchants, or managing cross-border transactions faster and easier than ever."
Not just gifts: shoppers plan to spend crypto too
Use goes beyond presents. The study found 23% of Americans are likely to shop with crypto this holiday season, and 19% plan to use it for purchases within the next year. Among people who already own crypto, 62% expect to pay with it.
The generational split is striking. Adults 18–54 are far more open to both gifting and spending: 22% plan to give crypto and 30% plan to shop with it, versus just 3% among those 55 and older.
Why this matters
Gift cards often get lost or expire, and balances can be stranded. Crypto avoids that problem and can double as a simple investing starter. A $25 transfer of Bitcoin or a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin like PayPal USD (PYUSD) can be held, sent abroad, or spent with compatible merchants—much like sending cash that can also grow in value.
For cross-border families, crypto can be faster than bank wires and may come with lower fees, especially outside banking hours. That convenience is pushing more shoppers to consider paying with digital assets during a busy retail season.
What could unlock wider adoption
The report points to education and clear security messaging as the biggest levers—especially for older consumers who worry about scams and account safety. It also arrives after a year the survey frames as pivotal for U.S. crypto policy, referencing the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law in July. Clearer rules could make both consumers and retailers more comfortable accepting crypto at checkout.
What retailers can do now
- Offer a crypto checkout option, with transparent fees and returns.
- Support stablecoins for price-stable payments alongside Bitcoin or Ethereum.
- Publish simple security tips and refund policies for digital-asset purchases.
- Test seasonal promos for customers who spend or gift with crypto.
Reality check
This was a survey of more than 2,000 adults, so results reflect self-reported interest, not guaranteed behavior. Still, the numbers point to a clear shift: crypto is moving from novelty to practical tool for gifting and shopping.
The bottom line
Crypto is edging into mainstream holiday habits. With 17% preferring a digital asset over a gift card and nearly a quarter ready to shop with it, merchants and consumers alike are treating crypto less like a trend—and more like another way to pay.