How Real People Are Making Sense of Crypto

How Real People Are Making Sense of Crypto examined the gap between crypto visibility and understanding in the U.S., citing a 2025 Gallup poll where 95% of adults say they have heard of cryptocurrency, but 60% say they know little and only 14% own it. The article attributed the challenge to hype, jargon, and limited access to reliable information, alongside repeated reports of scams that have hurt trust. To demystify what entering crypto means in 2026, it interviewed four everyday participants navigating the market. One theme was FOMO, reinforced by stories of early Bitcoin gains and large returns. Kyle Griffin, a 23-year-old real estate agent, said he bought his first Ethereum position the day after hearing about others’ profits, selling weeks later for nearly a 50% gain. Another participant, Everett Golihew, described how crypto felt omnipresent after COVID lockdowns.