Visa has released new survey findings showing how rapidly AI tools and cryptocurrency are transforming the holiday shopping experience, especially among younger consumers. The data highlights a major generational shift, with technology shaping everything from gift discovery to payment choices.
AI and crypto enter the mainstream
Nearly 50% of U.S. shoppers say they have used AI to support at least one part of their holiday shopping. The most popular use? Finding gift ideas. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency continues to gain cultural traction: 28% of shoppers say they would be happy receiving crypto as a holiday gift, a number that jumps to 45% among Gen Z.
Stablecoins are also quietly moving into the conversation. About 1 in 10 U.S. shoppers believe stablecoins could dominate everyday payments by 2030, and nearly 30% expect increased usage by 2035.
Visa’s Vice President of Consumer Insights, Bruce Cundiff, summed it up:
“Shoppers are embracing AI and digital tools at remarkable speed, with Gen Z and younger millennials reimagining commerce from the ground up.”
Gen Z leads the digital-first shopping revolution
Gen Z is far ahead of older generations when it comes to adopting new shopping technologies. The survey reveals:
- 71% use biometric authentication
- 60% buy gifts from international sellers
- 44% have made purchases using cryptocurrency
- 55% shop directly on social platforms
- 36% prefer digital wallets over physical cards
This reinforces Gen Z’s preference for fast, frictionless digital shopping journeys. Globally, 41% of Gen Z respondents also plan to travel more this holiday season, highlighting their increasingly mobile lifestyles.
Shoppers want smart tech but also transparency and security
While AI tools are becoming more common, consumers still value human connection.
- 61% prefer speaking to a human for customer service
- 60% want more transparency about how AI uses their personal data
Security concerns remain front and center.
- 66% worry that friends or family may fall victim to online scams this season
- 39% report encountering a scam themselves in the past year
These fears emphasize the need for stronger protections as online and AI-powered commerce scales.
Holiday shopping starts earlier as spending increases
Visa’s survey also shows that shoppers are starting their holiday buying earlier than usual, with more than a quarter making purchases before November. The company forecasts 4.6% year-over-year growth in overall U.S. holiday spending a sign that consumers remain enthusiastic even amid economic uncertainty.
Together, these insights signal a pivotal shift for retail and payments. As AI, crypto, and Gen Z’s digital habits continue reshaping expectations, the future of holiday shopping is set to become more personalized, more global, and more digitally driven than ever before.
