<p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> Two years ago, the picture of a typical crypto holder was a 25-year-old guy in his mom's basement, chasing meme coins and dreaming of a Lambo. The data today tells a very different story.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with returning co-host Stu Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, to unpack the brand new 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report. Last year's headline was 1 in 5 American adults. This year it is 1 in 4, with more than 67 million U.S. adults holding crypto.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> Ali and Stu walk through who these new holders actually are, and the picture is nothing like the common stereotype. Construction workers outpace finance professionals, more than a quarter of holders earn under $75,000 a year, and 28 percent are 55 or older. We also dig into what they are doing with their crypto, from sending money to friends and family to paying for everyday goods, and why the data shows people are using it, not just holding it.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> From there, the conversation turns to the why behind the shift. Financial independence, personal growth, and the excitement of being part of something innovative are all up year over year, signaling that the motivation has moved from getting rich quick to building something for yourself. Stu also draws on his decades in traditional finance to explain why the line between TradFi and crypto is blurring, and why regulation may be the last domino for the crypto-curious still on the sidelines.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> What We Discuss:</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (0:00) – Intro: Crypto's normalization moment (cell phones vs. crypto comparison)</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (0:32) – The old image of crypto: who people thought was using it</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (1:44) – "Something is happening" – not a craze, a structural shift</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (2:36) – Interview begins with Stu Alderoty (NCA / Ripple)</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (2:52) – The big headline: 1 in 4 Americans now own crypto</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (12:55) – Who actually owns crypto? The surprising demographic breakdown</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (17:01) – Manufacturing workers & blue collar crypto usage data</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (20:18) – How people are actually using crypto (sending, spending, businesses)</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (23:45) – Why people use crypto: financial independence up to 54%</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (36:21) – Crypto holders see it as established & integrated into traditional finance</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (39:13) – The biggest hurdles before crypto becomes truly seamless</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (41:15) – Access, education & confidence: what needs to happen next</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> (46:17) – "Knowledge equals trust" – how to get started with crypto</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):</p> <p dir="ltr">Website: <a href= "https://nca.org/">https://nca.org</a></p> <p dir="ltr">X: <a href= "https://twitter.com/@natcryptoassoc">@natcryptoassoc</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/natcryptoassoc/">@natcryptoassoc</a></p> <p dir="ltr">TikTok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@natcryptoassoc">@natcryptoassoc</a></p> <p dir="ltr">LinkedIn: <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc">National Cryptocurrency Association</a></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/">National Cryptocurrency Association</a></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.</p>