Gen Z Plans to Increase Crypto Trading in 2026: OKX

Gen Z is much more likely than baby boomers to trade more crypto in 2026, according to a new OKX survey.

A January 2026 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 40% of Gen Z plan to increase their crypto trading this year. That compares with 36% of millennials and 11% of baby boomers, OKX said.

Younger users also said they trust crypto platforms more, with OKX finding that 40% of Gen Z and 41% of millennials gave crypto platforms high trust scores, compared with 9% of boomers.

“Tokenization can make markets more open and efficient,” an OKX spokesperson told The Defiant. “You can lower minimums, fractionalize exposure to things like funds or Treasuries, and make assets available 24/7 on global rails instead of inside a local branch. If designed well, it can reduce friction and expand participation.”

In contrast, older users were more positive about traditional banks: 74% of boomers gave banks high trust scores, while 22% of Gen Z and 21% of millennials reported low trust in banks.

The survey also shows that younger Americans are more bullish on crypto long-term. OKX found that 52% of Gen Z and 50% of millennials believe crypto could one day match or beat traditional finance. Only 28% of boomers agreed. Meanwhile, 71% of boomers said banks will stay the main part of the financial system.

The report said that different age groups focus on different factors when it comes to trust, with security being the top priority for Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X. Boomers, on the other hand, most valued regulation and legal protection.

“Regulation matters more to boomers because their trust model is strongly tied to oversight and institutional legitimacy,” the OKX spokesperson said. They added that clearer rules could address concerns about consumer protection and custody.

Still, the spokesperson explained that trust depends on how platforms perform over time. “Trust ultimately sticks when platforms prove safety, reliability, and transparency in everyday user experiences,” they said.

OKX also found that boomers were more likely to say crypto does not offer real benefits. Nearly half of boomers said crypto solves “none” of the problems in traditional finance, compared with 6% of Gen Z.

The findings come as crypto continues to move further into the mainstream, with more trading platforms, investment products, and major companies offering access to digital assets.

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