AI and Digital Payments Drive 37% Crypto Adoption Surge in 2025

Cryptocurrency adoption has surged in 2025, driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital payments, according to a joint survey by Reown and YouGov. The study, which polled 1,000 respondents in the U.S. and U.K., found that 37% attribute the crypto boom to AI and digital transactions. Notably, 34% of participants use cryptocurrency for payments more frequently than for staking or yield farming, signaling a shift toward utility over passive DeFi activities. Cities like Cannes are pushing boundaries, aiming for 90% crypto adoption among merchants by mid-2025, with retail and food payments dominating usage [1].

The integration of AI and digital payments is redefining crypto’s practicality. Reown CEO Jess Houlgrave emphasized that AI enhances user experience through personalization, fraud detection, and automation, while digital payments provide tangible real-world applications such as cross-border remittances and freelance payouts. Houlgrave noted that these two domains complement each other, with neither expected to displace the other [2]. Tether, a major stablecoin issuer, has also entered the AI-driven finance arena by planning an API-free decentralized payment system [3].

Corporate and governmental support is accelerating adoption. Shopify’s recent integration of USDC payments and Mastercard’s stablecoin partnerships exemplify the growing acceptance of crypto in mainstream finance. Meanwhile, 27% of respondents predict on-chain payments will dominate within three to five years, a forecast Houlgrave called “real-world problem-solving” in action [4]. Oobit’s data further underscores this trend, revealing 70% of its crypto payments are directed to retail and food sectors [5].

Demographics highlight a generational divide. While Bitcoin remains the most owned asset (63% of respondents), stablecoins appeal to younger users, with 51% of holders aged 18–34. In contrast, adoption among those over 45 lags significantly. The study also revealed that 36% of respondents favor crypto trading as their primary on-chain activity, followed by 10% who prioritize payments [6]. Houlgrave argued that on-chain payments are finally aligning with crypto’s original vision of borderless, trustless transactions, as outlined in the Bitcoin white paper [7].

The analysis underscores a pivotal transition in the crypto landscape. AI-driven solutions and digital payment infrastructure are transforming speculation into utility, with corporate and civic initiatives accelerating adoption. However, the focus on younger demographics and the slow uptake among older users suggest challenges remain in achieving broader accessibility. As Houlgrave noted, the industry’s success hinges on “making crypto useful, trusted, and intuitive” through continued innovation and integration [8].

Sources:

[1] [title1] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[2] [title2] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[3] [title3] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[4] [title4] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[5] [title5] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[6] [title6] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[7] [title7] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]

[8] [title8] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6882410ac7cdcb62e7f6ce79/]