Gen Z Adopting Crypto Faster than Baby Boomers, OKX Survey Findings

A Survey conducted by a new OKX team of 1000 Americans in January 2026, which gives amazing outcomes in comparison between two different time periods’ generation about the use of crypto and traditional money saving in banks. The purpose is to figure out the acceptance of cryptocurrency in this modern world among younger and older generations.

The survey explains the acceptance of crypto in a clear way by showing a huge difference between Gen Z and Baby Boomers. Basically, Baby Boomers belong to the time period of the 19th century, and they have a mentality level in accordance with that era. So, at that time Banks were believed as secure place for saving assets due to being under the custody of a centralized setup. While Gen Z knows the digital world better and knows decentralization.

Gen Z and Millennials Show Higher Trust in Crypto Than Baby Boomers

The results of this survey show that 40% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials got high scores above 7+, ranging from 1-10 on a trust scale than to only 9% of Baby Boomers. By calculating, it is understood that Younger generations are 5x more trusting than their older generation. The only reason behind this is that there is a trust level inculcated in their minds that only banks are a secure place for every asset.

In this, 74% of Boomers gave a huge amount of votes toward the legacy of institutions, or approximately 8x more than they give to crypto. On the opposite side, approximately one of five Gen Z (22%) and Millennials (21) Millennials show low trust in banks, indicating a wider doubt toward the traditional system among younger users.

The Generational Trust Gap Is Fueling, Not Hindering, Crypto Adoption

There is also still a significant figure of 71% people showing that they believe in banks as a convincing source of the financial system for years to come. In contrast, more than half of Gen Z (52%) and Millennials (50%) are in favor of crypto in the future as a dominant force. The statistical data of (Jan 2025 v. Jan 2026) reveals the upward trajectory in trust perspective toward crypto platforms has increased over the recent years; these data shows 36% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials are included in this category.

Furthermore, the momentum resumes 40% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials plan to increase their investments in trading in 2026. This is going to make younger traders nearly 4x more bullish than boomers, with 11%.  For Gen Z, Millennials, and even Gen X, platform security remains at the top of the list, cited by 59%, 50%, and 54%, respectively. However, Boomers prioritize regulation and legal safety above all else, with 65% naming it their top concern. In short, the generational trust gap is not a hindrance; rather, it is crypto growth with the passage of time.