Like many 30-year-olds, Kayla Trivieri taps her bank card for coffee, subway rides, and dinners. However, the funds behind her purchases come from cryptocurrency. Based in New York City, Trivieri works at a blockchain firm and uses crypto-linked Visa cards for routine spending.
She also relies on digital assets for splitting international travel costs when services like Venmo fall short abroad. The process remains straightforward. Trivieri invests in coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, then uses a neobank to convert holdings into dollar-pegged stablecoins for daily payments.
Trivieri entered crypto markets in 2017 as an investor and avoids meme coins in favour of established assets. Over time, she says deeper understanding of the technology reshaped her financial outlook. Although her parents stressed traditional goals like saving and homeownership, she believes younger generations face heavier financial pressure and must explore creative strategies.
Younger generations drive wider adoption
Recent data suggests her experience reflects a broader shift. A survey by The Motley Fool found that roughly a quarter of Americans have tried crypto. Still, adoption skews younger, with 42% of Gen Z and 34% of millennials reporting stablecoin use. Meanwhile, a 2025 report by Bitget Wallet showed millennials favour crypto for travel and large purchases, while Gen Z leans toward gaming and gifting.
Financial planner Mike Casey says crypto can help younger investors build wealth if approached carefully. He calls it a potential hedge against inflation but warns about volatility. Casey advises clients under 40 to invest only what they can afford to lose.
Even so, Trivieri stresses balance. She treats crypto as one component of a diversified portfolio and urges newcomers to study risks, security, and market dynamics before investing.
