Gate US Launches Spot Trading Amid Rising Crypto Skepticism in America

Gate US, the U.S. operation of global cryptocurrency exchange Gate Group, officially launched spot trading for American customers on August 1, 2025, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy. The Seychelles-based exchange, known for facilitating up to $6.8 billion in daily trading volume, is initially offering crypto-to-crypto trading pairs, with fiat ramps and custodial wallet features slated for later this year. The launch is part of the company’s broader initiative to align with U.S. regulatory standards and integrate local financial infrastructure [1].

Founding CEO Dr. Lin Han described the move as a “milestone” in Gate Group’s global compliance journey. However, the timing of the launch coincides with a period of deep-seated public skepticism toward cryptocurrency in the United States. According to a Gallup poll cited in the announcement, while 95% of Americans are aware of cryptocurrency, only 35% claim to understand what it is. Furthermore, adoption remains concentrated among young, high-income male traders, with 14% of the population owning crypto assets [1].

The challenge for Gate US is not just technical or regulatory—it is fundamentally educational. Despite the company’s plans to run educational campaigns and engage U.S. financial institutions, efforts to educate the public on crypto have historically yielded limited success. The broader public still largely views crypto as speculative, and 60% of Americans express no desire to own digital assets [1]. Gate US must overcome this perception to achieve widespread adoption, even as it introduces compliant and secure services such as institutional-grade custody and fiat onramps.

The U.S. market is also intensely competitive. Other major exchanges such as OKX and Binance.US are vying for a share of the same user base. Last year alone saw over $750 billion in U.S. crypto inflows, despite the lingering wariness among the general public. For Gate US, the immediate goal is not just to capture market share but to reshape the narrative surrounding crypto by emphasizing stability, compliance, and integration with traditional finance [1].

Analysts suggest that the firm’s success will depend on its ability to align with shifting regulatory trends and investor sentiment. Recent moves by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promote blockchain innovation signal a potential shift in policy, which could impact the trajectory of crypto adoption. At the same time, the recent market volatility—marked by a $900 million wave of liquidations—has made investors more cautious [2]. Gate US must navigate these dynamics carefully to build trust among both retail and institutional users.

As macroeconomic factors such as Federal Reserve policy and global geopolitical tensions continue to influence the crypto market, Gate US faces the dual challenge of scaling its U.S. operations while maintaining regulatory alignment. The firm’s ability to do so will likely serve as an indicator of the broader U.S. crypto market’s potential for growth and normalization in the coming months [1].

Sources:

[1] BTC-Pulse, https://btc-pulse.com/gate-us-launches-as-american-crypto-skepticism-persists/

[2] Decrypt, https://decrypt.co/?pub1zay=168