- Nearly 18% of Americans have used or owned cryptocurrency.
- 84% would use DeFi for online purchases, 78% for bills, and 77% for savings.
- 54% want full control over their personal and financial data.
A new study from the Defi Education Fund, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, reveals strong interest in alternative financial systems across the United States.
The survey shows widespread dissatisfaction with traditional banks and a growing desire among many Americans for greater control over their money. At the same time, interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) is steadily increasing.
Almost one in five Americans have used or owned cryptocurrency, while an even larger group is open to exploring DeFi as a way to manage transactions without relying on intermediaries.
The findings highlight the scale of financial discontent and the shift toward digital finance.
Rising demand for access to DeFi
The study indicates that 42% of Americans would try DeFi if regulations made access easier.
Of those respondents, 84% said they would use DeFi for online purchases, 78% would use it to pay bills, and 77% would use it for saving money.
Despite this interest, only 12% described themselves as very or extremely interested in learning about DeFi, suggesting a gap between potential use and deeper understanding.
Four in ten participants believe DeFi could help reduce transaction and service fees, which are often seen as too high in the current banking system.
About 22% of Americans are also interested in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and other nontraditional financial models.
The study emphasizes that people across different age groups and backgrounds are showing interest, indicating broad-based demand.
Weakening trust in traditional banks
Trust in the banking sector remains low. Only 40% of respondents said they trust large national banks, while 43% trust regional or community banks.
Less than half of Americans believe the financial system meets their needs, and just 25% believe it benefits ordinary people.
The survey also shows that 56% of Americans want full control over their money, and 51% want the ability to send money digitally without a third party.
Foreign-born Americans showed particularly strong interest in these features.
Security concerns are also prominent: only 29% of respondents consider the financial system secure.
Many participants said current fees act as barriers to inclusion, underlining demand for alternatives.
Lawmakers weigh crypto regulation
These findings come as legislators and industry leaders actively shape cryptocurrency policy in the United States.
Efforts to regulate digital assets could directly affect adoption rates, especially given that 42% of Americans tie their interest in DeFi to easier access through legislation.
The study highlights that 54% of Americans want full control over their personal and financial data, reflecting broader concerns about privacy in digital transactions.
This intersection of public demand, regulatory debates, and new technologies may play a decisive role in how DeFi develops in the United States in the coming years.
The data suggest that conversations about finance are no longer limited to banks and regulators but increasingly involve everyday Americans who want a different type of system.
Growing participation in crypto markets and ongoing debates over financial rules will continue to shape how quickly DeFi becomes mainstream.