According to a new report for the 2025 holiday season, 45% of Gen Z say they would be "excited" to receive cryptocurrency as a gift.

It sounds crazy to older generations. Why would you want a volatile digital coin instead of cash or a sweater?

But for a generation that grew up with inflation eating their savings and homeownership feeling out of reach, crypto isn't just "magic internet money." For them, it's like a lottery ticket to financial freedom.

If you want to be the "cool relative" like Uncle Jesse from Full House this year (or just a smart one), here is your guide to gifting crypto without getting a headache.

Why They Want It

Gen Z is the first generation to be true "digital natives." They don't value physical cash the same way. (

They’ve seen the price of a Big Mac double. So they want assets that might grow, not cash that will shrink.

With that in mind, owning $50 of Bitcoin is boring. But owning $50 of a memecoin that might go to the moon?

That’s entertainment.

What Should You Buy Them?

Don't overthink it. You have two paths:

  1. The "Safe" Bet: Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH). This is the digital equivalent of giving them a savings bond, but cooler. It says, "I care about your future financial stability."
  2. The "Fun" Bet: Dogecoin (DOGE) or Solana (SOL). These are high-risk, high-reward. This is the equivalent of giving them a scratch-off ticket. It’s fun to open, but it might be worth zero by New Year's Eve.

How to Gift Crypto (Simple Guide)

You don't need to understand blockchain to gift it. Here are the three easiest ways to put Bitcoin under the tree.

Option 1: The "Cash App" Method (Easiest)

If you both have Cash App or Robinhood, this takes 10 seconds.

  • How: Open Cash App -> Select Bitcoin -> Tap the "Gift" icon (it looks like a present) -> Enter their $Cashtag.
  • Pro: It is instant and free.
  • Con: It stays on the app (custodial).

Option 2: The "Physical Card" Method

Several companies sell Crypto Gift Cards (like Bitrefill). You buy it with dollars, and they get a code to redeem for crypto.

  • Pro: You have a physical item to put in a stocking.
  • Con: Fees can be high.

Option 3: The "Hardware Wallet" (Best for Large Gifts)

If you are giving a significant amount (say, $500+), don't just give them the coins. Give them the vault.

  • The Move: Buy a Ledger Nano S Plus or Trezor Safe 3. Set it up with them on Christmas morning and transfer the funds to it.
  • Why: You are teaching them "Self-Custody" (the most valuable lesson in crypto).

The Boring Tax Stuff (Read This!)

Good news: The IRS is actually essentially Santa Claus when it comes to gifts.

  • The Rule: You can gift up to $19,000 to a single person in 2025 without reporting it or paying any taxes.
  • The Catch: The recipient "inherits" your cost basis. If you bought Bitcoin at $60,000 and gift it to them when it's $100,000, they don't owe tax until they sell it. When they do sell, they will pay taxes on the profit based on your original price.

The Bottom Line

A sweater will shrink. A gift card will get lost in a drawer. But $50 of Bitcoin? That might just be the start of their investing journey and the prerequisite into other great habits along the way.

Just make sure to tell them: "Don't lose the password."