A recent study by Cryptoninjas shows that Generation Z leads in stablecoin usage, with 46% transacting monthly, compared to 30% of Millennials and 29% of Generation X.
Current Adoption and Generational Divide
Based on a new study by Cryptoninjas, about 53% of survey participants said they have already used stablecoins, while 39% were aware of them but had never used them. The findings indicate that Generation Z is far ahead of other groups, with nearly half (46%) transacting in stablecoins every month. For comparison, only 30% of Millennial and 29% of Generation X stablecoin users conduct monthly transactions with the digital assets.
The primary motivation for holding stablecoins, cited by more than 30% of respondents, is that crypto yields are better than bank savings. The next most significant motivations are hedging against inflation (over 20%) and faster cross-border transfers (over 15%). “On-ramp” into other cryptocurrencies is also a notable motivation, followed by smaller percentages for online shopping and other unspecified use cases.
“For 46% of Generation Z, the big draw is yield farming, which is basically earning passive income from crypto platforms. Speed, inflation protection, and easy access to crypto round out their list of reasons to use stablecoins,” the study report said.
Another key finding is that 57% of stablecoin users would be willing to receive their paycheck in stablecoins. As expected, Generation Z is the most accepting, with 75% saying yes and only 25% saying no. Millennials show divided acceptance, with a slight majority (53.2%) saying yes and 46.8% saying no. Generation X is the least accepting, with 66.7% saying no and only 33.3% saying yes.
However, many survey participants expressed frustration that stablecoins currently have “limited real-world acceptance.” The study data shows this is the single biggest barrier, accounting for 42.4% of responses. The next most significant barrier, according to the data, is price volatility at 12.9%. Other barriers include regulation (11.5%), high fees (9.4%) and security concerns (6.5%).
The study report concludes by asserting that stablecoins will not go mainstream until developers shed their intimidating tech layers and make them user-friendly, particularly for older generations. Unlike Generation Z, who may embrace crypto’s complexity, most people need simpler onboarding, clearer design and plain English that avoids jargon.
The report added that when stablecoins start serving real-life needs like paying bills, shopping or saving, and apps look less like spreadsheets from 2003, they’ll feel normal—and usable.