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The past year and a half have proved monumental for crypto utility, legitimacy and real-world applications. The crypto market’s most powerful asset, Bitcoin, has hit several new all-time highs, regulatory bodies around the world have begun to create frameworks for digital asset ownership and usage, and governments are increasingly incorporating cryptocurrencies and stablecoins into national financial infrastructures. The ForumPay Crypto Spending Report 2025 dives into insights regarding crypto adoption, the explosive growth in crypto payments —particularly popular among millennial and Gen Z shoppers— case studies and ForumPay partnerships, as well as the challenges and pain points associated with traditional payment rails.
In this brief rundown, we offer a glimpse into the ForumPay Crypto Spending Report 2025 and highlight some of the key insights and partnerships included in this year’s report.
Global crypto adoption is up
By the end of 2025, crypto ownership is expected to rise to over 861 million users, which will mark an approximately 30% increase in adoption in just one year. Catalyzed by a confluence of political endorsement, regulatory developments and market momentum, this growth in crypto adoption demonstrates growing curiosity, knowledge and trust of cryptocurrencies among both institutional and retail holders. The election of a pro-crypto U.S. president, the implementation of the EU’s MiCA framework, and the growing utility of stablecoins have all contributed to this positive trend.
Unsurprisingly, Millennials and Gen Z are leading this shift. These generations, known for their lower risk aversion, disenchantment with traditional banking infrastructures and technological fluency, are increasingly using crypto for everyday transactions and payments, drawn by its efficiency, flexibility, and decentralized nature. In terms of adoption by region, countries like India, Nigeria, Indonesia, the U.S., and Vietnam led the way in 2024, often favoring stablecoins as a more reliable alternative to national currencies to facilitate peer-to-peer and cross-border transactions. Across the EU, crypto usage also doubled between 2022 and 2024, with a growing number of users employing digital assets for both investment and payments.
Bitcoin’s loudest proponent: Donald Trump
Arguably the most impactful shift in the crypto space was the election of crypto-friendly U.S. president Donald Trump. His public support for Bitcoin and promises to establish the U.S. as the global hub for crypto mining marked a dramatic reversal from his earlier skepticism and triggered a wave of optimism throughout the market. His appearance at the 2024 Bitcoin Conference, where he pledged to “supercharge” the American crypto industry, led to a spike in Bitcoin’s value and helped push digital assets into the political mainstream. This political endorsement came as a stark contrast to the crypto-cautious stance of the Biden administration, breathing a palpable breath of fresh energy into the crypto market, spurred on by support from other key figures such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Michael Saylor.
With a new administration signaling a friendlier stance toward digital assets, the market began pricing in long-term regulatory clarity and growth potential. Meanwhile, in Europe, the enforcement of the MiCA regulation on December 30, 2024, established the first comprehensive legal framework for crypto across the EU. MiCA’s focus on transparency, licensing, and investor protections helped build trust and resulted in the delisting of non-compliant tokens such as Tether (USDT). The political endorsements and recognition of digital assets on a regulatory level were crucial in building optimism and trust , key psychological drivers of crypto adoption, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Financial Innovation.
The demand for crypto payments surges
As cryptocurrencies gain more widespread and legitimate recognition, awareness, knowledge and interest has increased. According to an eMarketer study, crypto payments will surge by 82.1% in the U.S. alone between 2024 and 2026, driven by favorable regulatory changes and the integration of crypto payment infrastructures, such as ForumPay. By 2026, nearly 1 in 5 crypto owners is expected to use their holdings for transactions, up from 14.2% in 2024. This increase in demand has been noted across all industries, but particularly in the travel and hospitality sector, where digital assets present a seamless, cross-border alternative to static and depreciating fiat currencies.
In retail, as of December 2024, more than 15,000 businesses globally accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Globally recognized brands are beginning to adopt this fast-moving trend, with Starbucks being the largest food and beverage company that accepts cryptocurrency. The luxury sector is another area where crypto payments are particularly favored. The trend of increasing wealth among millennial and Gen Z shoppers, as well as the high levels of crypto adoption among these demographics has proven to be a powerful driver of demand, encouraging luxury brands to integrate crypto payment options to capture this digitally fluent, affluent customer base.
ForumPay partnerships in 2024
ForumPay played a pivotal role in expanding crypto utility across key industries in 2024 through partnerships that bridged the gap between digital currencies and real-world applications. In the hospitality industry, we partnered with HumanTouch System, an Italy-based company specializing in advanced guest management solutions. Their EZCharge platform, now integrated with ForumPay’s crypto payment gateway, enables hotels and restaurants to accept crypto directly at the point of sale. This collaboration allows hotels and hospitality establishments to meet growing demand for fast, private, and globally accessible payment methods, while simplifying back-end operations for hospitality businesses.
Other notable partnerships signed in 2024 include luxury private jet charter provider, Haute Jets, and Knightsbridge Circle, “the world’s most exclusive concierge club”, which have allowed these companies’ high-net-worth clients to pay through an instant, private, and secure transaction process that prioritizes convenience, security, and discretion. Another successful partnership is between ForumPay and EOTECH®, a professional-grade optics manufacturer. The convenience, privacy, security and seamless nature of crypto payments with ForumPay has helped EOTECH® stay competitive and committed to their customer-first purchase experience, providing peace of mind through instant payment confirmation.
Don’t miss the wealth of trend analysis, key insights and information from ForumPay in our latest Crypto Spending Report 2025. Download now from our Resources page. Otherwise, to find out more about onboarding crypto payments through ForumPay or speak to a member of the team, visit www.forumpay.com.
