Nearly half of American adults think investing in cryptocurrency just isn't worth the gamble, according to a new poll conducted by Public First for Politico. The survey of 2,035 adults, taken April 11–14, found that 45% of respondents said crypto is too risky. That sentiment lands alongside a broader distrust of crypto platforms — roughly half of those polled said they trust traditional banks more than crypto exchanges or services.
The money behind the message
While public opinion tilts skeptical, the pro-crypto super PAC Fairshake hasn't slowed down. The group has spent $28 million on competitive 2026 primary races so far, a sign that the industry is betting big on shaping who gets elected. That spending comes as 41% of poll respondents said special interest groups carry too much political weight — only 23% called the influence balanced.
AI and crypto: parallel worries
The poll also tracked attitudes on artificial intelligence, and the numbers show a similar pattern of unease. 44% of Americans said AI is developing too quickly; close to half think AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates. A 43% plurality sees AI's risks as outweighing its rewards. Roughly two-thirds want lawmakers to impose strict regulation or broad oversight on AI.
That regulatory appetite matters for crypto, because the same voters who want tight AI rules may also push for stricter crypto oversight. In hypothetical matchups, respondents were less likely to back candidates backed by groups pushing looser AI rules, compared to those backed by groups calling for tighter tech regulation. The message for crypto's political spenders? Public mood isn't on their side right now.
What comes next
Fairshake's $28 million has already helped shape primary outcomes this spring, but the general election is still months away. With the poll's margin of error at ±2.2 points, the data gives both crypto advocates and skeptics a baseline for the national conversation. The next big test will be how candidates who took Fairshake money fare in November — and whether the industry's spending shifts voter sentiment or hardens it.
