Ripple Urges Washington to Hear 67M Crypto Holders.
- Stuart Alderoty says 67 million Americans make crypto a major national constituency.
- NCA data shows U.S. crypto ownership grew by 12 million people over the past year.
- Alderoty says the CLARITY Act would provide clear rules without endorsing crypto.
Ripple Chief Legal Officer and National Cryptocurrency Association President Stuart Alderoty has called on U.S. lawmakers to recognize cryptocurrency holders as a significant voting bloc instead of treating them as a niche community. His comments come as Congress continues debating the CLARITY Act and broader digital asset regulation.
Crypto Ownership Expands Beyond Traditional Investor Groups
Ripple CLO Stuart Alderoty has urged Washington to stop dismissing cryptocurrency users as a fringe political group. He argued that digital asset ownership has reached a scale lawmakers can no longer overlook.
In a July 7 post on X, Alderoty said one in four American adults now owns cryptocurrency. That figure represents approximately 67 million people across the United States, according to data from the National Cryptocurrency Association.
He said the number of crypto holders exceeds the number of dog owners in the country. Therefore, he argued that digital asset users now represent one of America’s largest constituencies.
1 in 4 American adults now hold crypto. Somehow that constituency still gets dismissed as a fringe. My latest op-ed on who they really are, and what they deserve from Washington. https://t.co/aAKhsArgbN
— Stuart Alderoty (@s_alderoty) July 6, 2026
Alderoty’s comments followed discussion around a recent Politico poll showing that 27% of respondents supported the CLARITY Act. He argued that the result should not be interpreted as evidence that cryptocurrency lacks mainstream relevance.
Instead, Alderoty noted that the percentage closely matches the share of American adults who already own digital assets.
Consequently, he said policymakers should view crypto ownership as a broad national trend rather than a niche interest.
The National Cryptocurrency Association also reported that the United States added 12 million new crypto holders over the past year. The figures suggest adoption continues expanding despite ongoing market uncertainty.
Alderoty also challenged long-standing assumptions about cryptocurrency investors. He said ownership now extends well beyond wealthy technology professionals and speculative traders.
According to the report, women accounted for 42% of new crypto holders during 2025 and 2026. Additionally, nearly one-quarter of holders earn annual incomes below $75,000.
The association also found that construction and manufacturing workers now represent more than 21% of cryptocurrency owners. Those figures indicate increasing participation from working and middle-income households.
CLARITY Act Debate Continues in Washington
Alderoty’s remarks arrive as lawmakers continue reviewing the CLARITY Act, legislation designed to establish a federal framework for cryptocurrency markets. The bill remains under Senate consideration after missing its earlier legislative target.
Supporters believe the proposal would provide greater regulatory certainty for digital asset businesses and consumers. However, several issues remain under discussion before lawmakers can move toward final approval.
Debate continues over ethics provisions, anti-money laundering requirements, and oversight responsibilities for federal agencies. As a result, negotiations remain active before a full Senate vote.
Public opinion also remains divided on cryptocurrency policy. Some surveys show many Americans still consider digital assets risky, while others support clearer regulations for the industry.
Alderoty maintained that passing crypto legislation does not require lawmakers to endorse any specific digital asset. Instead, he said Congress should establish clear rules that reflect the interests of millions of Americans already participating in the market.
