A new Pew Research Center poll reveals a clear partisan divide in U.S. cryptocurrency ownership. According to the survey of 8,512 adults conducted in late January 2026, 22% of Republicans reported having invested in, traded, or used digital assets like Bitcoin and Ether, compared to 17% of Democrats. The gap marks a stark reversal from earlier years, when both parties were roughly even. Since 2021, Republican participation has risen from 16% to 22%, while Democratic ownership has stagnated.
The shift coincides with a dramatic change in former President Donald Trump’s stance. In 2019 he criticized crypto as “unregulated” and linked it to illegal activity. By 2022 he had launched his first NFT collection, followed by additional NFT drops, the World Liberty Financial crypto venture, and the launch of the $TRUMP and $MELANIA memecoins. His administration has since pushed to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world,” pursuing measures that could allow more crypto firms to become banks.
Morning Consult data reinforces the partisan gap, showing that in Q2 2025, 27.9% of Republicans had bought or sold crypto in the past year versus 17.3% of Democrats — an 11-point spread. Demographically, 74% of crypto investors are men, with men under 45 participating at rates between 38% and 42%, compared to just 13%–16% for women in the same age group. Asian adults led at 25%, while White adults have caught up to 18% after starting at 13% in 2021.
Meanwhile, crypto-focused political spending is escalating. The Fairshake super PAC and its affiliated groups have poured $12.1 million into Alabama’s Republican primary runoff to support Rep. Barry Moore, a crypto-friendly incumbent. Defend American Jobs, a Fairshake-linked group, spent about $7 million before the first round and another $3 million during the runoff. Moore faces retired Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, and former President Trump has endorsed Moore. Fairshake entered May with roughly $150 million in reserve for the general election, underscoring the industry’s determination to elect legislators favorable to digital assets.
