A fifth of adults have engaged in cryptocurrency-related activities, according to an NBC News survey.

• A recent NBC News poll reveals that one out of every five Americans has utilized cryptocurrency in some way, whether through investment, trading or other means.
• Men aged 18 to 49 were the most likely to have tried crypto, with a 50% rate of participation among the demographic groups studied.
• According to NBC News' poll, only 19% of respondents have a positive view of crypto, while 25% hold a negative opinion.

A recent NBC News poll revealed that one out of every five Americans has utilized, traded or invested in cryptocurrency, indicating a growing trend in the popularity of digital assets, despite warnings from lawmakers about market risks and ongoing efforts to regulate the industry.

Among all age groups, the highest percentage of men aged 18 to 49 reported having tried crypto.

Both 40% of Black Americans and 42% of people aged 18 to 34 have traded or used crypto.

The growing popularity of crypto among Americans, with 21% of 1,000 polled saying they have used or invested in it, highlights the rapid expansion of the industry in recent years. As Capitol Hill works to establish new regulations for the market, digital assets continue to spread.

Financial experts argue that digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins provide faster transaction speeds, lower costs, enhanced privacy, heightened security, and the chance to offer financial services to underbanked populations.

The crypto market remains unregulated, resembling the "Wild West," according to Gary Gensler, the Securities and Exchange Commission Chair. As a result, only 19% of those surveyed by NBC News have a positive view of crypto, while 25% have a negative outlook.

A significant portion — approximately 56% — expressed a neutral or uncertain stance regarding the crypto industry.

President Biden recently issued an executive order to examine the risks and benefits of the crypto market, which has grown significantly.

The administration expressed concerns about fraud and illegal activities financing, but also emphasized the U.S.'s geopolitical interest in developing infrastructure and oversight for monitoring crypto.

Despite both parties recognizing the value of the crypto market, which has grown to trillions, there are concerns about the absence of federal regulation, leaving consumers vulnerable to fraud and extreme price fluctuations.

Even Bitcoin, one of the most widely used cryptocurrencies, is not immune to significant price fluctuations: it has dropped 20% in the past year.

It is expected that Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a newcomer to Congress from Wyoming and an advocate for the crypto industry, will soon present a significant crypto bill. Her proposed legislation is believed to have taken into account the perspectives of various government agencies and the crypto industry.

Congress has been repeatedly requested by investors and crypto exchanges to provide guidance on asset classification, protections for retail investors, and clarification on the jurisdiction of regulatory bodies such as the SEC, CFTC, and Federal Reserve.

A survey conducted by NBC News polled 1,000 adults from March 18 to March 22, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.1 percentage points.