Data Finds Minimal Public Support for a Ban, Uncertainty Around Banks’ Motives, and Strong Demand for U.S. Leadership in Innovation
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Congress debates legislative options when it comes to approaching rewards on payment stablecoins, new national polling shows broad public support for allowing consumers to earn rewards, and little appetite for government intervention to stop them.
According to a new survey conducted by HarrisQuest DIY on behalf of the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA), crypto holders and American consumers more broadly want choices when it comes to new financial products. In fact 48% (or 4 to 1) of survey respondents support allowing consumers to earn stablecoin rewards, compared to those opposing them (12%).
Consumers See the Debate as About Competition — Not Protection
When asked why they believe banks oppose stablecoin rewards, Americans are more likely to attribute that opposition to banks concerned with competitiveness rather than consumer safety. More than four in ten (46%) Americans say banks oppose stablecoin rewards because they are concerned about competition.
These findings are particularly useful amid robust, and divergent, discussion of the Senate’s Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA). Prior to these findings, policymakers did not have the view of average Americans.
“The public understands what’s really at stake here,” said Stuart Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association. “Americans overwhelmingly support choice, and many are skeptical of efforts to shut down new financial options for consumers under the guise of protection.”
Crypto Holders Warn Restrictions Could Undermine U.S. Innovation
Among current crypto holders, the data is even more decisive and underscores the broader economic and geopolitical implications of restricting stablecoin rewards.
- 71% of crypto holders believe it is important for the United States to lead globally in stablecoin innovation
When asked how they would manage their money if stablecoins were to offer rewards, Americans said they would not move any money at all (26%), were unsure what action they would take (28%), and only 46% said they would move at least a portion of their funds. This indicates that most consumers view stablecoins as a supplemental tool rather than a replacement for traditional bank accounts.
Together, these findings suggest that efforts to restrict stablecoin rewards risk slowing U.S. innovation while doing little to address real consumer concerns.
“As policymakers consider changes to stablecoin policy, the data is clear,” Alderoty added. “Consumers want choice and reasonable rules that keep the U.S. at the forefront of global innovation , not bans. They view arguments against financial innovation as driven by banks wanting to avoid competition.”
About the National Cryptocurrency Association
The National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) is a 501(C)(4) organization dedicated to educating consumers about how to engage with crypto. Crypto is positively impacting the lives of millions of Americans but misinformation has held back those who stand to benefit. The NCA is here to help make sense of crypto by sharing the stories of real people and businesses using crypto, providing educational resources to navigate the hype and confusion, and offering guidance and support through partnerships and services. For more information, visit https://www.nca.org.
Methodology
The research was conducted online in the United States by The National Cryptocurrency Association among 2,000 adults age 18+ using Harris Quest DIY. The survey was conducted on January 9, 2026. Raw data were not weighted and are therefore only representative of the individuals who completed the survey.
If you’re interested in learning more about crypto adoption trends and barriers in the U.S., reach out to media@nca.org.
Contacts