Gen Z driving momentum in digital currency payments

New research from FIS suggests that digital currencies, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, are firmly on the radar of younger consumers, but with limited understanding and concerns around transparency, continue to hold back wider adoption across the UK.

While the FCA recently confirmed that stablecoin payments are a 2026 priority, the data shows a clear knowledge gap among UK consumers, alongside uncertainty about how the technology works in practice and how it is regulated.

The research found that while 87% of UK consumers are aware of cryptocurrency or stablecoin payments, 66% of them say they have limited or no understanding of how these technologies could improve their financial experience. 37% believe there is a lack of transparency around how digital currency payments work.

33% of Gen Z plan to increase their use of digital currency payments in the next six months, compared with 14% overall with 41% of Gen Z expect digital currency payments to have a positive impact on their financial services experience, versus 17% of the total population.

Meanwhile, 30% of consumers believe digital currency payments may be a passing trend and 34% say they are concerned about how digital currency payments could affect their personal finances

Julia Demidova, Senior Director, Digital Assets Product & Strategy at FIS, said “UK consumers are clearly curious about digital currency payments; however the data shows that trust hasn’t caught up with awareness yet. Consumers are keen to understand what is behind the scenes of this technology, who is accountable, what protections apply, and what happens if something goes wrong? As these payment types move closer to everyday use the adoption will depend on transparent rules, strong oversight and familiar safeguards”