67 Million US Crypto Owners Challenge Outdated Stereotypes in Washington

Ripple's chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, is pushing back against what he calls an outdated stereotype of cryptocurrency investors. In a recent statement, he cited new survey data that shows 67 million Americans now hold digital assets.

The National Cryptocurrency Association's 2026 State of Crypto Holders report, conducted with The Harris Poll, found that roughly one in four American adults now owns cryptocurrency, up from one in five a year earlier. The research surveyed 10,000 US crypto holders between February 12 and March 3.

The survey revealed a diverse group of crypto holders, including women (42% among those who first purchased crypto in 2025 or 2026), people aged 55 or older (28%), and individuals with household incomes below $150,000. Alderoty argued that this diversity is often overlooked in discussions about cryptocurrency regulation.

The Senate's CLARITY Act, which aims to create a federal digital-asset market structure and clarify oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has been delayed until September. The bill needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, and its chances of becoming law before year-end are estimated at only 14%.

Ripple has joined an industry campaign urging Senate leaders to advance the CLARITY Act after months of negotiations. Alderoty made a similar argument in July, saying that 67 million holders meant Washington could no longer treat crypto users as a fringe constituency.