On August 7, Stuart Alderoty – Chief Legal Officer of Ripple and Chairman of the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) – shared in Fast Company magazine that the biggest barrier to the next stage of cryptocurrency development is not price volatility or high-profile scams, but rather the public's lack of understanding.

Awareness – An Invisible but Dangerous Barrier

According to the Crypto Confidence Pulse 2025 survey conducted by the NCA in collaboration with Harris Poll, nearly 90% of Americans who do not own cryptocurrency say they lack confidence in their knowledge of buying, trading, or using this asset. Notably, 49% cite this as the main reason they stay out of the market.

Interestingly, nearly 25% of those who do not currently own crypto say they would consider using it if they could pay for goods and services with it – something that is already feasible at this time.

5 Groups of Non-Crypto Owners and Their Characteristics

NCA research categorizes those who have not entered the market into 5 main groups:

  1. Curious – Interested, have discussed crypto and 42% are likely to buy this year.

  2. Trendwatchers – Want to see real-world examples of crypto applications.

  3. Skeptics – Will only accept it if there is a commitment to safety and clear oversight.

  4. Traditionalists – Prefer banks and credit cards over new technologies.

  5. Cautious – Feel it is 'too late' compared to the trend but are willing to learn from trusted sources.

Trust – The Key to the Boom

43% of respondents are concerned about the safety of crypto, and 36% do not trust trading platforms. Alderoty emphasizes:

"Cryptocurrency has long been misunderstood as a 'trustless' system. But in reality, its acceptance depends on trust: People need to understand the technology before trusting it – and they need someone they trust to guide them."

He believes user education must be tailored to each demographic group, for example:

  • Practical guide on how to set up a digital wallet.

  • Illustrate use cases of crypto payments in everyday life.

  • Provide assurances of policy and a clear legal framework.

Alderoty calls for a synchronized regulatory framework, built collaboratively between the state and the industry, to protect users while not stifling innovation.

According to him, if the knowledge gap is narrowed through transparent and contextual education, hesitation will turn into widespread acceptance – making cryptocurrency a more inclusive financial tool for everyone.