A survey released by global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 technology company OKX on May 1, 2026, reveals that escalating inflation concerns are significantly reshaping how U.S. cryptocurrency traders allocate their capital. The survey found that 90% of respondents are worried about a substantial decline in the dollar's purchasing power over the next five years, with 45% choosing 'extremely concerned', making dollar anxiety the most common response in the study. As a result, 49% of participants have increased their crypto allocations since January, indicating that fear of dollar depreciation has become a core driver of crypto market growth.
Inflation Concerns Drive Portfolio Rebalancing
Conducted among 1,000 U.S. cryptocurrency traders, the survey highlights the scale of this unease. OKX stated: '90% of respondents said they worry that the dollar's purchasing power will drop significantly in the next five years. More striking: 45% chose 'extremely concerned,' making this the most frequent response in the survey.' Generational differences are notable: Millennials show the highest level of extreme concern at 49%, followed by Gen Z at 44%, Gen X at 39%, and Baby Boomers at 32%. This anxiety has translated into tangible portfolio shifts. Nearly half of respondents said they increased their crypto holdings over the past six months due to inflation fears; more than a quarter did so within the last month. Additionally, 40% of traders reported moving more than 10% of their portfolios into crypto, while 15% transferred over 20%.
Bitcoin Gains Ground as a Store of Value
Bitcoin also stands out in the survey's wealth preservation findings. 47% of respondents primarily view Bitcoin as a store of value, compared to 16% who hold the opposite view. Among those who see BTC as a store of value, 33% said their conviction has strengthened since the start of 2026. While gold remains the most trusted wealth preservation asset overall (chosen by 32%), Bitcoin ranks second at 26%. However, among Gen Z traders, Bitcoin leads gold by 28% to 21%, indicating a distinct preference for digital assets among younger investors. The long-term outlook aligns with these trends: 73% of respondents expect cryptocurrency to play a larger role in the global financial system within ten years, and only 3% believe crypto is a passing fad.
The Dollar's Safe-Haven Status Under Threat
Economist Robin J. Brooks has noted that mounting pressure in global debt markets is eroding confidence in the dollar, with accelerated bond turmoil and capital flight signaling a dangerous inflection point for the currency and safe-haven assets. The OKX survey reinforces this narrative: an increasing number of U.S. traders are hedging against potential dollar depreciation by increasing crypto exposure, with Bitcoin gradually displacing gold's safe-haven role among younger demographics. OKX noted that while the survey results are directional and reflect active crypto participants rather than the broader U.S. adult population, they clearly demonstrate that inflation concerns are profoundly influencing U.S. crypto traders' portfolio decisions, perceptions of Bitcoin, and wealth preservation preferences.