tl;dr
A report by Reown and YouGov identifies artificial intelligence (AI) and digital payments as key drivers of digital asset adoption among UK and US retail consumers. Digital asset trading currently leads, but payments using digital currencies are rapidly increasing and expected to surpass trading soo...
A new report by Reown and YouGov highlights artificial intelligence (AI) and payment use cases as key drivers behind the growing adoption of digital assets among retail consumers in the UK and US. Surveys of 1,000 digital asset users reveal that 34% are actively engaging with these assets, with digital asset trading currently leading adoption. However, payments using digital currencies have surged, with 27% of participants utilizing them, and experts predict payments will surpass trading as the primary adoption catalyst by decade's end.
Digital payments already outpace decentralized finance (DeFi) activities such as yield farming and staking, and this lead is expected to widen within two years. AI applications enhance the user experience through personalization, fraud prevention, and improved customer support, helping remove barriers to adoption. Reown's CEO Jess Houlgrave emphasizes that payments generate real-world demand while AI elevates the experience, with both factors working hand in hand.
The report also notes growing interest in AI-themed decentralized applications (dApps), which are competing with DeFi solutions for ecosystem dominance, alongside rising AI job postings surpassing demand for distributed ledger technology (DLT). Stablecoins also play a crucial role by offering stability against volatile digital currencies and facilitating cross-border payments, transitioning on-chain payments from niche use to mainstream methods.
The broader digital payment market is poised for significant growth, fueled by government initiatives and shifts in consumer behavior. Projections estimate U.S. digital payments exceeding $3.8 trillion by 2025, while Africa’s volume may surpass $1.5 trillion by 2030. Younger generations—Gen Alpha, followed by Gen Z and Millennials—are leading this digital payment revolution, with some countries reducing VAT on digital transactions to encourage e-payments and decrease cash reliance.
In China, AI adoption is closely linked to a surge in internet growth, supporting economic development and infrastructure advancements. AI users now number around 250 million, roughly 17% of the population, driven by benefits like operational cost reductions and efficiency gains. The government plans to accelerate AI integration across emerging industries, focusing on innovative infrastructure such as 5G, 6G, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Chinese experts forecast AI agents that autonomously execute tasks will soon overtake large language models (LLMs) in prominence, potentially transforming workplace productivity within 24 months. AI’s role is also seen as critical for integrating enterprise blockchain, enhancing data quality, security, and immutability to support compliant AI development.
Despite U.S. trade restrictions on advanced semiconductors, China’s AI industry thrives with breakthroughs in sectors like healthcare, education, finance, and automobiles. Noteworthy advancements include AI-powered nuclear warhead inspection and global AI research tracking platforms. These strides showcase AI’s expanding impact and the necessity of blockchain-supported systems to uphold legal and operational integrity in this rapidly evolving landscape.