Younger Members Push Credit Unions Toward Crypto Services

Crypto has a funny way of arriving before the meeting agenda catches up. Many credit union members have already made room for it, even as their financial institutions are still deciding what to do.

“Credit Unions Sit on the Sidelines While Members Already Own Crypto” is a PYMNTS Intelligence and Velera collaboration. The report is based on a March 2026 survey of 500 U.S. credit union executives. It examines how these leaders view member demand for cryptocurrency and stablecoins. It also explores their current plans, operational readiness and biggest concerns.

The findings reveal a clear opening for credit unions. Many institutions see limited demand today, but younger members are already buying crypto and showing interest in crypto payments. Those that prepare now can build knowledge, improve safeguards and test new services before demand grows.

Download the Report Credit Unions Sit on the Sidelines While Members Already Own Crypto

In “Credit Unions Sit on the Sidelines While Members Already Own Crypto,” learn how:

Security concerns are slowing progress. Cybersecurity and fraud risk rank as the leading barriers for both cryptocurrency and stablecoins. More than half of executives cite these concerns. Regulatory issues rank lower, suggesting that many of the biggest hurdles are within the institution’s control.

Credit unions are putting protection before products. Fifty-nine percent of executives expect their institutions to offer crypto education within three years. Another 53% expect to build fraud prevention and compliance tools. Only 22% plan to offer crypto rewards during that period.

Stablecoins could find their first credit union role behind the scenes. Executives see the strongest uses in round-the-clock settlement, domestic payments, tokenized deposits and business payments. These applications could help these financial institutions improve how money moves before they introduce new services to members.

The report also shows how an institution’s approach to innovation affects its progress. Some are building digital asset skills through pilots and outside partnerships. Others have the technical ability to move ahead but remain focused on demand and leadership support.

That delay could become costly. Members may turn to other providers when they can’t find the services they want from their credit union. Institutions could also miss the chance to shape how members use crypto safely.

Credit unions don’t need to launch every digital asset service at once. They can start with education, stronger fraud controls and a clear plan for future payment uses. Download the report to see where credit unions stand today and how they can prepare for what members may want next.

About the Playbook

“Credit Unions Sit on the Sidelines While Members Already Own Crypto” is based on a survey of 500 U.S. credit union executives conducted in March 2026. Two additional modules covering cryptocurrency and stablecoins were added to the March 2026 instrument for this round of research. The report examines how credit union executives perceive member demand for digital assets, where their institutions currently stand on adoption, how readiness and planned capabilities vary by self-described innovation strategy, and what barriers most commonly stand in the way of further engagement. Our sample consisted of executives responsible for strategic and product decisions at their institutions. Figures throughout the report represent shares of responding executives. Items that allowed multiple responses can sum to more than 100%, while questions about overall stance or significance reflect full 100% distributions.