A new poll reveals an interesting disconnect in economic sentiment. While policymakers project growth for 2026, most American households are bracing for financial stagnation or deterioration rather than improvement. The gap between top-down optimism and ground-level consumer expectations tells us something important about market psychology.

This pessimism matters beyond traditional finance. When household confidence declines, discretionary spending drops—and that ripple effect eventually touches crypto adoption rates, DeFi participation, and overall risk appetite in digital assets. Historical data shows consumer sentiment often leads broader asset class movements.

The poll data underscores a critical reality: economic narratives don't always align with lived experience. Whether this sentiment shift proves justified or represents overcautiousness will likely shape financial behavior—including crypto positioning—throughout 2026.