Public skepticism toward both cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence is shaping the debate over how these technologies fit into U.S. finance, according to new polling commissioned by CoinDesk that finds voters still trust banks over crypto for financial inclusion and remain wary of AI’s risks, even as crypto owners prove markedly more supportive of AI.

The online survey of 1,000 randomly selected U.S. voters, conducted last week by research firm Public Opinion Strategies, offers a snapshot of sentiment as crypto and AI policy threads work through Congress, federal regulators and the 2026 congressional midterm campaigns. Voters were asked to weigh banks against crypto on questions of financial access, to assess whether digital assets are enduring or a fad, and to gauge the balance of risks and benefits in AI. The results point to a clear mood: traditional finance enjoys a trust advantage, crypto’s reputation remains fragile, and AI elicits concern—though the overlap between crypto participants and AI supporters is notable.

Market Impact

When asked whom they trusted more to support financial inclusion, 65% of respondents chose banks, while only 5% favored crypto. A slim majority (52%) said the crypto movement is more than a passing fad, yet 60% described crypto as a mostly negative force in the economy. These findings underline a disconnect between the industry’s ambition to broaden access to financial tools and the public’s current comfort with established institutions.

The survey also suggests crypto’s cultural foothold, even amid skepticism. About one in four respondents (27%) reported having invested in crypto, though most said they entered the market several years ago, and only 2% indicated holdings above $10,000 in digital assets. At the same time, media coverage appears to be reinforcing doubts: more than half (53%) said recent news left them with a less favorable view of the industry. Those with positive associations most often cite perceptions of profitability, while detractors emphasize the prevalence of scams.

Engagement remains uneven. About 46% of respondents said they do not participate in crypto and do not plan to, but 27% have not yet invested and might be open to doing so. Negative views intensify with age, rising sharply among those older than 45. Affinity for crypto is most consistent among males, Republicans and minority groups, indicating a demographic divide that may influence how the industry communicates and where it focuses education efforts.

AI Integration

The poll’s AI findings mirror many of the same contours. Overall, 55% of respondents said the risks of AI outweigh its benefits, with older voters showing more distrust and younger cohorts expressing more mixed views. As with crypto, males and Republicans are somewhat more supportive of AI’s advances. Crucially for the intersection of these fields, owners of crypto are far more likely to back AI: 64% said the pursuit of AI is worth the risks.

This alignment highlights how the constituencies most engaged with digital assets also tend to be more open to AI’s role in technology and finance. While corporate America has embraced AI across almost all aspects of business, the polling underscores a perception gap that emerging technologies must bridge before achieving broader legitimacy. For crypto specifically, the convergence with AI may intensify questions about trust, oversight and real-world value, especially as policymakers weigh how both tools interact with markets and consumers.

Technology Use Case

Public Opinion Strategies’ data indicates that narratives around utility and safety remain decisive. For crypto, profitability continues to be the draw for supporters, while the association with scams anchors skepticism. For AI, the central concern is whether potential gains justify perceived dangers. The connection between crypto ownership and AI support suggests that early adopters of one frontier technology are inclined to see merit in another. Yet the wider electorate’s caution signals that mass-market adoption for either technology will depend on policy clarity and demonstrated consumer protections.

In practice, this puts the spotlight on how AI might be applied within crypto and blockchain ecosystems without worsening concerns already prevalent among voters. The survey does not prescribe specific solutions, but it does delineate the communication challenge: explain the benefits in clear terms, address fraud and risk management directly, and show how regulatory guardrails can support responsible innovation. The findings imply that improvements in transparency and oversight would likely matter as much as technical progress in converting skeptics.

Industry Response

These attitudes arrive at a delicate moment for digital assets policy. The industry’s top legislative priority—the Senate’s Digital Asset Market Clarity Act—has been slowed by resistance from the banking sector, which argues that stablecoin rewards could compete with interest-bearing deposit accounts and hasten a migration that threatens U.S. lending. That case helped stall the Clarity Act for months, though recent indications suggest the bill may begin moving again in the coming days. Key senators have also said the measure should finally get a hearing in May, preserving its prospects for passage in 2026.

The regulatory backdrop remains pivotal. The crypto industry has long sought incorporation into the U.S. financial regulatory framework to broaden acceptance and reassure those worried about oversight. That process depends on a sharply divided Congress and the measured pace of federal agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission. Still, key regulators appointed by crypto-cheering President Donald Trump have pledged to move as quickly as possible to bring digital assets into the mainstream, a stance that could influence how—and how fast—rules take shape.

For an electorate split along generational and partisan lines, the intersection of AI and crypto will likely be judged by trust as much as by technology. The poll’s picture is consistent: voters lean on banks for financial inclusion, approach crypto with caution, and view AI through a risk-first lens, even as a significant slice of crypto owners actively endorses AI’s pursuit. How industry leaders, legislators and regulators respond to that calculus will shape whether the public separates the promise of innovation from the fears surrounding it.

This article is part of a CoinDesk series on voters’ views for the 2026 midterm election. CoinDesk will release data from this survey on Tuesday at Consensus Miami.