Visa survey reveals AI, cryptocurrency influence holiday shopping trends

Visa unveiled new survey data highlighting the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency on consumer spending, marking a generational shift in shopping behavior this holiday season.

According to the survey, nearly half of U.S. shoppers are now using AI tools to enhance their holiday shopping experience, with younger consumers, especially Gen Z, leading the charge in adopting digital-first payment methods.

AI and Crypto Become Mainstream

This holiday season, technological innovations are becoming an integral part of the shopping experience. The survey found that 47% of U.S. shoppers have used AI for at least one shopping task, with finding gift ideas emerging as the most popular use. Additionally, more than a quarter of shoppers (28%) are open to receiving cryptocurrency as a gift, a trend that skyrockets to 45% among Gen Z. As the role of stablecoins grows, approximately one in 10 shoppers believe stablecoins will dominate by 2030, with 28% expecting their usage to increase by 2035.

Bruce Cundiff, Vice President of Consumer Insights at Visa, commented, “The data tells a fascinating story about the spending shift we’re witnessing: shoppers are embracing AI and digital tools at remarkable speed, with Gen Z and younger millennials leading a fundamental reimagining of commerce.”

Gen Z Drives Digital-First Shopping Habits

Gen Z continues to outpace older generations in adopting next-generation shopping methods. The survey revealed that 71% of Gen Z shoppers use biometric authentication, 60% buy gifts from overseas, and 44% make purchases via cryptocurrency. Additionally, 55% of Gen Z consumers shop on social platforms, highlighting their preference for a more seamless, digital-first experience. Interestingly, while digital wallets are preferred by one in five shoppers, Gen Z is closing the gap, with 36% favoring digital wallets over physical cards (34%).

Globally, 41% of Gen Z shoppers plan to travel more this holiday season than last year, reflecting their eagerness to embrace a more connected and mobile shopping experience.

Smarter Tech, Smarter Shoppers

As AI and other technologies become increasingly central to the holiday shopping journey, consumers are also prioritizing transparency, security, and human connection. While AI-powered shopping tools are gaining traction, 61% of shoppers still prefer human interaction for customer service, and 60% want greater transparency regarding how their personal data is used by AI tools.

Security remains a significant concern, with 66% of consumers expressing worry that friends or family could fall victim to online scams this season, and 39% reporting having encountered one in the past year. This underscores the need for greater trust and security as digital shopping continues to evolve.

Early Holiday Shopping and Spending Growth

In addition to shifting technology preferences, Visa’s survey revealed that many consumers are starting their holiday shopping earlier. More than a quarter of shoppers began their holiday purchases before November, and Visa forecasts a 4.6% year-over-year growth in total U.S. holiday spending, reflecting Americans’ continued enthusiasm for celebrating the season despite economic uncertainty.

Visa’s insights underscore a pivotal moment for the retail and payments industries, as AI, cryptocurrency, and younger generations’ digital-first habits reshape the future of commerce.