AI and digital payments: key drivers of crypto adoption in 2025
Crypto adoption grew quickly in 2025, with more individuals and big companies holding digital assets. Data shows this recent push is mainly driven by digital payments and artificial intelligence.
At a grocery store, a humanoid robot scans a QR code on a cereal box, displaying a glowing Bitcoin logo and "2025" while a shocked customer watches.
In summary
About 37% of people surveyed in the US and UK say that AI and digital payments are the main reasons for the rise in crypto use. Also, 34% use crypto for payments — more than for staking or farming — showing that people are focusing more on practical uses rather than passive activities in DeFi.
Cities like Cannes want 90% of merchants to accept crypto, especially for retail and restaurant transactions. Young people are leading the way. More than half of stablecoin owners, 51%, are between 18 and 34 years old. Bitcoin remains the most popular choice.
Digital payments are now the main reason people use cryptocurrencies, surpassing activities like staking and farming. A report states that 37% of 1,000 people in the US and UK say AI and digital transactions drive the crypto boom. Another study by Reown and YouGov found that 34% actively pay with crypto.
This number is higher than the percentage involved in other DeFi activities, like staking or farming. Still, trading remains quite popular. About 27% believe that on-chain payments will be the main way people use crypto in the next three to five years. This highlights how crypto is being seen as a tool for real-world use.
Crypto Payments and AI: Two Ideas Working Together
Reown CEO Jess Houlgrave said that AI and payments go hand in hand. They help solve a common problem: making crypto useful, trustworthy, and easy to use.
She explained that payments push everyday use, while AI makes the process simpler. She dismissed the idea that one could replace the other. Instead, AI improves customer experiences and helps developers work faster.
AI makes important tasks like personalization, fraud detection, and support better. It also speeds up steps like onboarding, auditing, and automation.
Tether, a company that issues stablecoins, plans to create an AI-based decentralized payment system that doesn’t need an API.
According to Reown's CEO, easy-to-use digital payments are behind the rise in crypto adoption. She noted that real-world cases such as cross-border transfers and freelance payments have turned digital payments from just a demo into real infrastructure.
Companies and cities are embracing digital assets. Many businesses are adding peer-to-peer payment options to improve efficiency. Recently, Shopify added a USDC payment feature for transactions.
Mercuryo CEO Petr Kozyakov said more businesses are paying staff in cryptocurrencies. As this trend grows, more users want to spend their digital assets directly.
Financial firms are also helping push crypto use. Mastercard now offers stablecoin payments through new partnerships. Countries are getting ready for this shift. Cannes, a city in France, wants 90% of its merchants to accept crypto payments by summer 2025.
This move makes sense as crypto use in stores continues to grow. Digital asset payment network Oobit reports this expanding trend.