When Did Cryptocurrency Become Popular?
Cryptocurrency first became popular around 2013, then went mainstream in 2017 and 2021. Search interest and media coverage show the waves.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 5, 20263 min readFact-checked
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Interest rose again in 2021, when large companies and investment funds entered the market. Search and headlines spiked at the same time.
What Was Crypto's First Popular Moment?
Bitcoin started in 2009, but it stayed niche for years. The first broad attention came in 2013, when a price rise and coverage of online marketplaces pushed it into tech news. A bigger shift came in 2017, when constant headlines made cryptocurrency a household word.
Why Does Popularity Come in Waves?
Cryptocurrency prices move sharply, and attention follows. When prices rise, coverage increases and new people sign up. When prices fall, coverage fades and casual users lose interest. This pattern repeats in boom-and-bust cycles.
- Price surges attract buyers and coverage.
- A fall quiets headlines and slows adoption.
- The cycle repeats with a new use case.
How Do People Use Crypto Today?
Everyday use grew through apps that made buying and storing crypto simpler. Payment apps like PayPal and Cash App added crypto buying for US users. Retailers from coffee shops to airlines have run trials that accept bitcoin or let customers pay through a processor.
Other common uses include stablecoins for sending money, crypto-backed debit cards, and rewards programs that pay in crypto. Sports teams and online games have used tokens for tickets, tips, or items.
What Limits Crypto's Wider Popularity?
Despite frequent headlines, many US adults still do not own cryptocurrency. Prices swing sharply, and scams and exchange failures have cost people money. Rules vary by state and country, and tax reporting adds paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
No. It stayed a niche interest for years after 2009, then drew wider attention in the early 2010s.
Bitcoin, launched in 2009, is widely described as the first cryptocurrency.
Ethereum launched in 2015 and added smart contracts, which let developers build apps and tokens. Its 2017 and 2021 cycles brought new users.
Ownership is lower among older adults than younger adults in most US surveys. Some use crypto through apps, but the group is a small share.
