Cover for the August 2026 PYMNTS Intelligence and Velera Credit Union Innovation Readiness Playbook. PYMNTS Intelligence reports how credit unions lag behind younger members in crypto ownership, payments and stablecoin readiness.

27% of Younger Credit Union Members Already Own Crypto

Credit Union Innovation Readiness: Credit Unions Sit on the SIdelines While Members Already Own Crypto

PYMNTS Intelligence surveyed 500 U.S. credit union executives and found a sharp gap between their crypto plans and younger members’ behavior. The new report, produced with Velera, shows where credit unions may be falling behind and what they can do next.

Inside the August Playbook
  • Younger members are already using crypto. Twenty-seven percent of Gen Z and millennial credit union members own cryptocurrency. Another 18% are highly interested in paying with it.
  • Early launchers have pulled ahead. Thirty-five percent of credit unions that identify as early launchers actively engage with cryptocurrency, compared with 2% of institutions that describe themselves as laggards.
  • Stablecoins are moving onto the payments roadmap. Just 3% of executives expect stablecoins to play a major role within three years. That share rises to 33% within six years.

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