How Payments and AI Could Power the Next Wave of Crypto Adoption

Key Findings from the Reown Report

Reown released its report titled “The State of Onchain UX” based on a survey of 1,038 active crypto users. These users are from the United States and the United Kingdom, and the survey took place in February 2025.

Here’s what the users believe will drive mass adoption:

As seen in the table above, payments lead the list. Many users now use crypto not just to trade but also to pay for things. In fact, 54% of the surveyed users use crypto for real-world payments. That’s a strong sign that people are starting to trust it more for everyday use.

Rise of Stablecoins and Wallet Usage

Stablecoins, which are digital assets tied to stable currencies like the U.S. dollar, are gaining popularity. Last year, only 20% of users said they used stablecoins. This year, the number jumped to 37%.

Wallet usage is also growing. On average, users now manage more wallets than they did in 2024. Many do this for better security. Around 44% now use multiple wallets – up from 32.8% last year.

AI’s Role in Crypto Adoption

Artificial intelligence is another area users are excited about. Around 35% believe AI will help drive crypto adoption. However, opinions are mixed when it comes to how well AI and blockchain can work together:

• 29% believe AI and blockchain will complement each other.
• Only 18% think crypto will play a key role in AI’s growth.

So while there is interest in this area, there’s also uncertainty.

Regulation and Government Involvement

Government support plays a big role too. Since President Donald Trump returned to office, regulation has become a key topic. The SEC created a crypto task force, and Chairman Paul Atkins has labeled crypto regulation a top priority.

This government focus seems to boost user confidence:

• 86% believe regulation will support mainstream adoption.
• Only 14% worry it might slow innovation.

Major Barriers to Widespread Adoption

Even with growing interest, some hurdles remain. Users highlighted these main barriers:

While 69% of users now feel safer using crypto compared to 50.5% last year, phishing attacks are increasing. Reports of phishing rose from 14.4% to 21%. These numbers show that while confidence is rising, risks still exist.

Interoperability is another key issue. Many blockchains don’t work well with each other. This makes it hard for users to move assets across platforms. About 47% say better interoperability is very important. Still, only 14% see it as one of the top problems that must be solved.

What Needs to Change?

The report concludes that crypto must become more practical to attract new users. Developers should focus on:

• Lowering transaction fees
• Making platforms more secure
• Improving user experience
• Building real-world use cases like payment and social apps

Interestingly, there is still a gap between what users expect and how they use crypto today. Many still focus mainly on trading, even though they want apps that make everyday life easier.

The crypto space is growing beyond trading. Payments, AI, and regulation are pushing it forward. However, problems like high fees, security risks, and poor interoperability must be addressed.

With 67% of users feeling optimistic, the future looks bright. If the industry focuses on real needs, the next wave of adoption might be closer than we think.