The crypto age gap: Gen Z is 5x more trusting and 4x more bullish than baby boomers

Younger users are embracing digital assets with growing confidence, while older generations remain anchored to traditional finance, according to a new OKX survey of 1,000 Americans conducted in January 2026. 

When asked how much they trust crypto platforms, 40% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials gave high scores (7+ on a scale of 1-10), compared to just 9% of Baby Boomers. In other words, younger generations are 5x more trusting than their older counterparts. 

The contrast sharpens when looking at traditional banks: 74% of Boomers assign high trust scores to legacy institutions, or roughly 8x more than they give crypto. In contrast, about one in five Gen Z (22%) and Millennials (21%) express low trust in banks, reflecting a broader skepticism toward conventional systems among younger users.

This difference extends to long-term views on finance’s future. More than half of Gen Z (52%) and Millennials (50%) believe crypto will eventually rival or surpass traditional finance as a dominant force. Among Boomers, only 28% share that optimism, with 71% convinced banks will remain the primary pillar of the financial system for years to come. Younger generations clearly see crypto as a pathway to greater opportunities and a hedge against limitations in traditional wealth-building paths.

Year-over-year comparisons (Jan ‘26 v. Jan ‘25) revealed a continued upward trajectory in confidence among younger generations: 36% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials reported that their trust in crypto platforms had increased over the past year. Among Boomers, the picture was far more subdued, with only 6% feeling more confident, while 49% indicated their trust levels had remained unchanged.

Looking ahead, the momentum continues: 40% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials plan to increase their crypto trading in 2026, compared with just 11% of Boomers, making younger traders nearly 4x more bullish. 

The root of this split lies in what each group values most when it comes to trust – and the perceived benefit of crypto at large. For Gen Z, Millennials, and even Gen X, platform security tops the list, cited by 59%, 50%, and 54% respectively. Boomers, however, prioritize regulation and legal protection above all else, with 65% naming it their top concern. 

And when asked what problems crypto solves better than traditional finance, nearly half of Boomers say “none,” while only 6% of Gen Z agree. Instead, younger participants consistently point to practical strengths that resonate deeply in a digital-first world, such as true 24/7 accessibility, borderless transfers, and the kind of flexibility that rigid legacy infrastructure simply cannot replicate. 

These perceived advantages may contribute to adoption and a sense of empowerment among those who have come of age expecting instant, always-on financial tools. Younger generations tend to describe crypto as secure and innovative, while older generations often view it as risky.