Digital 2022: Big Rise in Cryptocurrency Ownership
Data from GWI published in our new Digital 2022 Global Overview Report reveals that the number of people who own cryptocurrencies has jumped by more than a third (+37.8 percent) since this time last year.
More than 1 in 10 working-age internet users now owns some form of “crypto”, with that figure rising to more than 2 in 10 in Thailand.
Cryptocurrencies are particularly popular across developing economies, especially in countries where conventional currencies are more prone to fluctuations in exchange rates.
For example, in Turkey – where the local lira has lost roughly half of its value versus the US dollar over the past year – ownership of cryptocurrencies has almost doubled (+86 percent) in the past twelve months, from 10 percent to 18.6 percent.
However, the data also reveal that men are considerably more likely than women to own cryptocurrencies.
GWI’s research shows that – overall – 12.7 percent of male internet users aged 16 to 64 now own a decentralised digital currency like Bitcoin or Ether, compared with just 7.2 percent for women.
Younger millennials are the most likely to own a cryptocurrency, with the likelihood of ownership declining steadily beyond the age of 35.
Fewer than 1 in 20 internet users aged 55 to 64 owns any cryptocurrency today, which highlights the potential for yet another ‘digital divide’ in the years to come.
Want to learn more about the state of digital in 2022? Check out our full Digital 2022 Global Overview Report by clicking here.
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