How to Talk to Your Parents About Cryptocurrency (Without Starting a Family Feud)
September 15, 2025
Why This Talk Matters
If your parents have ever said “I heard about Bitcoin on the news,” or “My friend from church is making money with crypto,”—it’s time for a conversation.
Cryptocurrency isn’t just for tech bros or finance nerds anymore—it’s also a playground for scammers. And unfortunately, older adults are often prime targets. Why? Because they’ve worked hard to build savings, they want to leave a legacy, and they might not fully understand the digital red flags.
This post will help you talk to your parents about cryptocurrency in a way that protects them—without sounding like a know-it-all.
Step 1: Start With Curiosity, Not Criticism
If you open with “Crypto is a scam,” the conversation might end before it begins.
Instead, try:
“What have you heard about crypto?”
“Have you ever thought about investing in it?”
“Someone tried to get Grandpa to buy digital coins—has anything like that ever happened to you?”
You're not interrogating them. You're inviting them in.
Step 2: Explain What Crypto Is (And Isn't)
Skip the blockchain diagrams. Stick to this:
- Crypto is digital money that isn’t backed by a government or a bank.
- It’s super volatile-value can swing wildly overnight.
- It's mostly unregulated-which is why it attracts both dreamers and scammers.
- Its value increases when more people buy-in- people invested already are motivated to convince you, too.
Then say something like:
“There are legitimate uses for crypto, but also a lot of traps. Scammers love it because it’s hard to trace and easier to manipulate people.”
Step 3: Show Real-Life Scam Examples
If you want your parents to take this seriously, bring receipts:
- “Crypto romance scams”: Someone pretends to fall in love online, then convinces the person to “invest together.”
- “Imposter scams”: Someone claiming to be from the IRS, a celebrity, or Elon Musk asks them to transfer crypto.
- “Giveaway scams”: A fake site or social media post says, “Send $500 in crypto, and we’ll send you $5,000 back.”
💡 Tip: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is—especially with crypto.
Step 4: Help Them Spot Red Flags
Share these easy warning signs:
- Pressure to act fast ("You’ll miss out!")
- Requests for payment in crypto
- Promises of guaranteed returns
- “Help” installing crypto wallets or apps
- Social media links to “investment opportunities”
Say:
“If someone asks for crypto—or offers to help you set it up—it’s okay to slow down and check with me first.”
Step 5: Offer a Buddy System
This is the “I’ve got your back” moment. Try something like:
“If you ever want to look into crypto, I’m happy to look at it with you. I can help research whether it’s legit.”
You’re not banning them from learning—you’re building a safety net.
Final Thought: Don’t Shame Curiosity—Guide It
Your parents aren’t dumb for being curious about crypto. Scammers are getting better, faster, and more convincing every day.
Your job isn’t to scare them into silence. It’s to empower them to sniff out the nonsense.
Want Help Spotting Scams?
If you or your parents ever get a suspicious message, image, or investment “opportunity,” you can run it through ScamFerret—our AI tool that sniffs out red flags in seconds.
🛡️ No Phish. Just Facts.
