Unexpected choice under inflation pressure: More and more Americans are considering cryptocurrencies as Christmas gifts

Despite the ongoing high living costs and household budgets being squeezed by inflation, American consumers are not shying away from cryptocurrencies. On the contrary, the latest survey shows that crypto assets are gradually entering mainstream holiday spending scenarios, becoming a more “cost-effective” and future-oriented gift option.

According to the latest holiday spending survey released by Visa, about 28% of Americans are willing to receive cryptocurrencies as gifts during Christmas or holiday seasons, with this figure rising to 45% among Generation Z. This trend indicates that even with limited disposable income, American consumers remain strongly interested in digital assets.

From a macroeconomic perspective, although inflation has retreated from its post-pandemic highs, core living costs such as housing, food, energy, and insurance remain high. Wage growth has generally kept pace with inflation, preventing a significant loss of purchasing power, but after covering essential expenses, households have less room for investment or non-essential consumption.

In this environment, consumption has not disappeared but has undergone structural changes. Consumers are planning their shopping earlier, comparing prices more frequently, and leveraging technological tools to improve spending efficiency. The Visa survey shows that approximately 47% of American consumers use AI tools during holiday shopping to find gift ideas and compare prices, reflecting that “cost-conscious consumption” is becoming mainstream.

Cryptocurrencies are viewed in this context as an alternative to traditional non-essential goods. Compared to one-time purchases, crypto assets are seen by some consumers as more flexible, highly digital, and potentially valuable as long-term gifts. For the younger generation, cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, biometric payments, and cross-border e-commerce have naturally integrated into their digital financial lifestyles.

From a broader perspective, this trend reflects that the U.S. economy is in a phase of “cautious but stable” growth. Consumers have not fully regained confidence but have also not chosen to withdraw entirely; instead, they are shifting spending toward more efficient and potentially rewarding areas.

The continued penetration of cryptocurrencies into holiday spending indicates that they are gradually evolving from highly volatile speculative assets into financial tools accepted by ordinary households. During a period when inflation is cooling but confidence has not fully recovered, digital assets are filling the gaps left by traditional consumption, serving as a cautious way for Americans to bet on the future.