Against the backdrop of an FDIC survey finding that approximately 5.6 million U.S. households do not have a bank account, the potential for cryptocurrency to serve as an alternative means of accessing financial services is examined.
According to an FDIC survey, approximately 5.6 million U.S. households are unbanked, while the underbanked account for approximately 14.2% of the total. It has also been noted that cryptocurrency ownership has been on a declining trend since 2025.
The article explains that cryptocurrency may serve as a means of storing value without using a traditional bank account. Although prices are volatile, the trend over the past decade or more is said to have been generally upward.
Digital wallets are said to have the potential to complete transactions within seconds without relying on traditional banking infrastructure. This is expected to increase the number of cases in which users can transact without concern about delays in executing payments.
The adoption of cryptocurrency is also contributing to an expansion of access points in physical locations. The increase in Bitcoin ATMs is cited as a factor improving cash access.