Bitcoin is increasingly establishing itself in grassroots strongholds across the United States, moving beyond the major financial centers and tech hubs. While regulatory debates continue in Washington and institutional adoption grows on Wall Street, everyday use of Bitcoin is quietly expanding in unexpected places.
One notable example is Oklahoma, where Bitcoin is becoming integrated into daily life. Small businesses throughout the state are accepting Bitcoin as payment, and local Bitcoin meetups are flourishing. This accessibility is coupled with educational efforts aimed at demystifying Bitcoin, particularly for older generations who control a significant portion of U.S. wealth but may not fully understand Bitcoin's purpose. Matthew Moore, a broadcaster and educator in Oklahoma, emphasizes presenting the problems that Bitcoin solves to help people understand its potential as a solution.
This grassroots movement extends beyond Oklahoma. Bitcoin Park, with locations in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, serves as community-supported hubs focused on promoting freedom tech adoption. These spaces offer co-working areas, podcast recording facilities, and host meetups, workshops, and summits for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Similarly, PubKey in New York City and other Bitcoin-only spaces around the world are fostering local Bitcoin communities.
State-level initiatives are also contributing to Bitcoin's grassroots growth. Moore, the Bitcoin advocate in Oklahoma, has been working with lawmakers to shape legislation that supports self-custody, clarifies tax treatment, and explores state-level Bitcoin reserves. He believes that states can act as "laboratories of experiment" and implement policies more rapidly than the federal government.
Nationally, cryptocurrency adoption continues to increase. A 2025 survey indicated that nearly one in four (24%) individuals in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Singapore reported owning crypto, up from one in five (21%) in 2024. In the U.S., adoption grew from 20% to 22% during that time. Western states generally show the strongest crypto adoption rates, with Washington consistently leading. As of 2022, 2.43% of tax returns filed in Washington involved cryptocurrency. Utah, California, Colorado, and Oregon also rank among the top states for crypto adoption.
Several factors are driving this grassroots adoption. Increased internet penetration and digital literacy play a significant role. Countries with higher internet penetration rates tend to have higher crypto adoption rates. Additionally, mobile wallet installations linked to crypto platforms have risen globally.
Moreover, grassroots organizations are actively mobilizing voters and shaping crypto legislation. Stand With Crypto, a nonprofit advocacy group backed by Coinbase, has amassed over 2.3 million crypto advocates across the country. The organization aims to have a presence in all 50 states and played a role in registering crypto voters and advocating for specific legislation.
Even some businesses are embracing Bitcoin. Steak 'n Shake, for example, has launched a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and accepts Bitcoin payments globally. The fast-food chain also offers Bitcoin rewards to customers and donates to open-source Bitcoin projects.
Despite this growing grassroots movement, challenges remain. Cryptocurrency adoption has been least popular in the South. High-income earners are also more likely to participate in cryptocurrency. For households earning $500,000 or more annually, the crypto adoption rate stands at 5.55%, while the adoption rate for households earning between $1 and $75,000 per year averages around 1.27%. Furthermore, a recent vote in a North Texas community against forming a city to regulate a Bitcoin mine highlights the potential for local conflicts related to cryptocurrency operations.
Overall, Bitcoin is finding solid ground across the U.S., driven by grassroots initiatives, state-level policies, increasing adoption rates, and the efforts of advocacy groups. While institutional investment gains momentum, the expansion of Bitcoin into everyday life in communities throughout the country solidifies its position in the broader American landscape.
