New national survey data from Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), a national nonprofit small business lender, finds that small business owners operating in underserved communities are increasingly relying on digital tools and evaluating cryptocurrency payments and AI-powered platforms as part of their business operations. The findings are detailed in the report, Unlocking Opportunity Together: Research on Digital Adoption and Access for Underserved Small Businesses.
Small businesses are a critical engine of the U.S. economy, representing 99.9% of all U.S. firms and employing nearly half of private-sector workers. Their ability to manage cash flow, reach customers, and operate efficiently is central to economic resilience, particularly in underserved communities, where margins are thinner and disruption carries greater impact.
AOF’s research shows that small business owners in underserved communities place greater importance on digital tools as part of day-to-day operations. Nearly eight in ten (79%) say digital tools are highly important to their business, compared with 69% outside underserved communities, and 67% say that without digital tools, their business would fall behind competitors.
The survey also finds that this reliance on technology is extending into both cryptocurrency payments and AI tools. Three in five small business owners in underserved communities say they are interested in using cryptocurrency to pay vendors or partners, and 62% report that customers have expressed interest in paying with cryptocurrency, compared with 46% of owners outside underserved communities.
At the same time, owners in underserved communities report stronger engagement with AI and automation tools than their peers. Sixty-five percent say AI-powered digital tools are important to their business, compared with 54% outside underserved communities. These findings suggest that interest in emerging technologies is not confined to larger or more resourced businesses.
“Small business owners are intensely pragmatic,” said Luz Urrutia, CEO of Accion Opportunity Fund. “They adopt tools that help them operate more efficiently, manage costs, and meet customer expectations. What this research shows is that owners in underserved communities are relying on digital tools out of necessity, and they’re increasingly open to new payment and AI tools when those solutions support real, day-to-day business needs.”
Digital tools are core to daily operations
- 99% say having up-to-date digital tools is important to business success;
- 88% say digital tools make running their business easier;
- 79% say digital tools are highly important to their business (vs. 69% of small businesses outside underserved communities); and
- 67% say that without digital tools, their business would fall behind competitors.
Crypto emerges as a payments signal
Interest in cryptocurrency, including digital assets used for payments such as stablecoins, among owners in underserved communities is emerging specifically through a payments lens:
- 3 in 5 report interest in using cryptocurrency to pay vendors or partners; and
- 62% say customers have expressed interest in paying with cryptocurrency (vs. 46% outside underserved communities).
Interest is strongest among younger owners and higher-revenue businesses
To contextualize this interest, industry research from the Faster Payments Council and Ripple notes that payments leaders increasingly view blockchain and crypto technologies, including stablecoins, as mechanisms for faster settlement, lower transaction costs, and improved cross-border functionality within modern payment systems.
“Small businesses are the backbone of economic growth, and access to modern financial tools shouldn’t be a privilege,” said Eric van Miltenburg, senior vice president of strategic initiatives at Ripple. “Through our partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, we’re helping expand access to digital tools and exploring how blockchain and crypto can enable faster, more affordable payments and support long-term growth across communities.”
AI and automation show elevated importance
Beyond payments, owners in underserved communities report strong engagement with AI and automation tools:
- 65% say AI-powered digital tools are important to their business (vs. 54% outside underserved communities);
- 62% say AI-driven marketing tools are important (vs. 53% outside underserved communities); and
- 68% say automated operating systems are important (vs. 57% outside underserved communities).
Trust in financial tools creates the foundation for digital adoption
The research also shows that owners in underserved communities anchor their digital adoption in trusted financial tools and institutions.
Among these owners:
- 77% trust credit unions;
- 75% trust large banks; and
- 74% trust community banks.
Barriers remain
However, despite strong engagement with digital tools and trust in financial institutions, owners in underserved communities report ongoing challenges:
- Cost is the leading barrier to adopting new digital tools;
- One in three owners say they feel intimidated by tools they have not used before;
- Nearly seven in ten small business owners overall currently access credit (vs. 77% outside underserved communities); and
- Nearly half of those not currently accessing credit plan to seek credit in the next year.
“There is a great opportunity to ensure digital tools, including AI and payment solutions, are affordable, intuitive, and aligned with how small businesses actually operate,” Urrutia added. “Building on these learnings, AOF remains committed to supporting and educating small businesses so they can build economic mobility for themselves, their families, and communities.”
In 2025, Ripple committed $15 million to support Accion Opportunity Fund’s work expanding access to capital and digital tools for underserved small business owners. The funding is unlocking new lending capacity and accelerating digital adoption efforts nationwide. As part of this broader partnership, AOF and Ripple launched the Ripple Digital Leap Forward Accelerator, which is a fully virtual program designed to help 50 small business owners build digital capacity through training in payments, automation, marketing, and operational tools. Participants who complete the program receive a $10,000 grant to support technology implementation and business growth.