Americans are open to investing in, or at least learning more about bitcoin.
However, a number of consumers are also growing more open to using the cryptocurrency as, well, currency: that is, using it for transactions and to make purchases, according to a survey conducted by LendEDU.
The attractiveness of bitcoin as a currency varied by age range, the survey (released yesterday) of 1,000 American consumers found. 48% of 18-24 year old consumers said they would be open to the concept, compared to just 30% of 45-54 year olds.
A majority, or 53%, of 25-34 year old consumers said “yes” to the possibility of using bitcoin for purchases, the survey said.
Bitcoin as a legitimate currency — as in, one you can use to make daily purchases — is a matter of debate in the cryptocurrency world, as concerns over its notorious volatility make spending it slightly risky, as memorialized by Bitcoin Pizza Day.
However, others maintain that bitcoin’s anonymity and immutability make it a strong contender for the currency of the future.
Investing in bitcoin is a little less uncertain than spending it, which is perhaps why about a third of each age range says they plan to invest in bitcoin as an asset in the future, the survey found, though there is keener interest from older Americans.
31% of 25-34 year-old consumers plan to invest in bitcoin in the future, the survey showed, compared to 57% of 45-54 year-old consumers.
Take a look at the survey here.