American youth place significantly more trust in digital currency platforms compared to older generations, with Generation Z and millennials trusting them about five times more than the baby boomer generation, according to a new survey conducted by OKX.
The survey, conducted in January 2026 among 1,000 American participants, highlights the deepening generational gap in attitudes towards digital assets and traditional finance.
Trust in digital currencies is increasing among Generation Z while the Baby Boomer generation remains cautious.
An OKX survey found that 40% of Generation Z and 41% of Millennials reported high trust in cryptocurrency platforms, with scores of 6 or higher on a 10-point scale. In contrast, only 9% of the Baby Boomer generation expressed similar trust.
This divide becomes clearer when compared to trust in traditional banks. About 74% of the Baby Boomer generation give high trust ratings to legacy financial institutions, a level approximately eight times higher than the trust they place in cryptocurrencies.
Among younger respondents, skepticism towards banks is more pronounced. Approximately 22% of Generation Z and 21% of Millennials reported decreased trust in traditional banking institutions.
"For young people, the traditional financial system feels like a relic from their parents' generation. Generation Z and younger Millennials have grown up in a digital world. It's natural for them to be more comfortable with the digital asset economy," said Haidar Rafiq, global managing partner at OKX, to BeInCrypto.
Data indicates that trust among younger users is not only higher but also on the rise. Compared to January 2025, 36% of Generation Z and 34% of Millennials reported that their trust in digital currency platforms has increased over the past year.
Among Baby Boomers, sentiments were more subdued. Only 6% reported increased trust. Furthermore, 49% said their trust levels remained unchanged.
But what drives this trust? Is it shaped more by direct experience or by societal influence, such as social media, peers, and content creators? Rafiq said both factors play a role, but their influence differs among younger users.
He explained that social media for younger generations is the natural entry point for information, whether for customer support or user experiences or assessing credibility. They first turn to social media platforms when they encounter a problem, or want to learn something new, or see what trusted voices online are saying.
"Nevertheless, true trust is only built through direct experience. This is part of a larger shift in Generation Z's behavior: they check it themselves through repeated personal use. In digital assets, particularly, loyalty comes with seamless transactions one after another," he added.
Half of Generation Z and Millennials see digital currencies as the future.
This increasing trust is translating into action. This year, 40% of Generation Z and 36% of Millennials plan to increase their activity in trading digital currencies. Only 11% of Baby Boomers said the same, making younger participants about four times more optimistic than their older counterparts.
The differences in trust seem closely related to what each generation values most. For Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X, platform security is the main factor mentioned by 59%, 50%, and 54% respectively.
However, Baby Boomers place greater importance on regulation and legal protection, with 65% considering them their primary concerns.
Among young users who are still skeptical about digital currencies, complexity stands out as the primary point of resistance, according to Rafiq.
"Generation Z has grown up with financial technology applications that seem easy. Digital currencies often feel like you're giving someone a set of power tools and saying figure it out — the confusing navigation, hidden costs, terminology everywhere. Irreversible mistakes can cost real money," he noted.
Meanwhile, the broader generational divide extends to long-term expectations about the future of finance. 52% of Generation Z and 50% of Millennial participants believe that digital currencies will eventually compete with or surpass traditional finance as the dominant force.
Among Baby Boomers, only 28% share this view. Furthermore, 71% still believe that banks will continue to support the financial system for years to come.
"Younger generations clearly see digital currencies as a pathway to greater opportunities and a hedge against the constraints in traditional wealth-building paths," the report stated.
Opinions on the utility of digital currencies separate the generations more. Nearly half of Baby Boomers said digital currencies don't solve any problems better than traditional finance. Among Generation Z, only 6% agreed. According to the findings,
"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 infrastructure cannot replicate. These perceived advantages not only fuel adoption but also the sense of empowerment among those who have come of age and expect always-on financial tools."
Data indicates that younger users increasingly perceive digital currencies as safe, innovative, and inevitable. Older generations tend to associate digital assets with risk and uncertainty.
Rather than being a constraint, this trust gap acts as a signal of where the momentum for digital currencies lies. Adoption and growth are driven by the generations that place the highest trust in the technology.
"Do you remember when it was hard for older generations to understand Facebook? Now, the entire platform is filled with Baby Boomers. We will see a similar pattern in the digital asset economy," Rafiq stated.
Overall, the results indicate a clear generational shift in financial trust. As younger users' trust increases through hands-on experience and native digital channels, they are increasingly shaping the path for adopting digital currencies, while older generations remain tethered to traditional banking models.