In recent years, the rapid emergence of cryptocurrencies as alternative financial assets has garnered increasing attention from both investors and scholars, particularly among younger demographics. This study investigates the antecedents of university students’ behavioral intention to adopt cryptocurrency, integrating constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A sample of 580 students from a private Philippine university was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Unlike the earlier studies on technology adoption, results indicate that facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, and perceived behavioral control do not have a significant impact on potential adopters anymore due to the advancement in technological infrastructures and the usability and accessibility of fintech using a variety of devices. The study showed the moderating effect of financial literacy and personal cultural orientation, diminishing the effect of facilitating conditions on behavioral intention. These findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and fintech developers aiming to promote informed and inclusive cryptocurrency adoption.