A Portrait of the Crypto Owner: What Do We Know about Web3’s Early Majority
Main Takeaways
Digital assets are steadily conquering the planet, with tens and even hundreds of millions of new users joining the Web3 movement each year. Who are the people forming the backbone of the future of finance, and how similar or diverse are they in terms of age, race, education, where they live, and how they use crypto?
To answer these questions, we have looked into several of recent reports assessing the number of crypto owners globally, as well as their demographic characteristics, geographical distribution, and behavior patterns.
Web3 users are a uniquely diverse bunch. Overall, they tend to be younger and more educated, however, regional differences are significant. Asia and North America are leading in terms of absolute numbers of crypto users, while countries like the UAE and Singapore boast the largest shares of the population owning digital assets.
In recent years, cryptocurrency ownership has seen a dramatic increase globally, with digital assets becoming an integral part of the financial ecosystem. However, we are still in the very early days of this movement – and as with any nascent global phenomenon, there is much about it that we don’t know.
One exciting question is this: Who are the people at the forefront of this financial revolution? Are crypto users in Southeast Asia similar to those adopting digital assets in Central America? To get closer to understanding you, the current or future crypto user, we have summarized the available evidence on demographics, geographic distribution, and usage patterns of digital asset owners around the globe. Here’s what we found.
Demographic Insights: The People Behind the Screen
A recent study by digital currency payments firm Triple-A puts the global number of crypto owners at 562 million in 2024, which represents about 6.8% of the global population. Binance’s current 213 million registered users make up almost 38% of this global community. Triple-A also estimates that there’s been a substantial 34% increase from 2023, where crypto ownership stood at 420 million, suggesting impressive rates of growth of the interest in and usage of digital currencies. Crypto.com’s 2024 Crypto Market Sizing report reaches similar conclusions, estimating the 2023-2024 progress as going from 432 to 580 million global users. This rise in ownership highlights how cryptocurrencies have moved from niche technology to an almost mainstream financial instrument.
Asset class for the young?
According to Triple-A, the largest group of cryptocurrency owners falls within the 25-34 age range, accounting for 34% of the total. These people represent the peak of Millennial engagement with digital currencies. Globally, this demographic group is typically characterized by tech-savviness and a greater tendency for early adoption of new technologies. They are often digital natives who grew up alongside the rise of the internet and mobile technology, making them more comfortable with revolutionary technology.
This demographic is followed closely by those aged 35-44, who make up 31%. This number could suggest that as individuals age and their financial stability increases, so does their willingness to invest in cryptocurrencies. This age group often has greater disposable income and a deeper understanding of investment opportunities, making them more comfortable with the higher risk-higher reward profile associated with crypto investments.
Younger adults aged 18-24 represent 20% of the crypto-owning population, with users over 45 accounting for the remaining 15%.
Source: Triple-A
Growing ownership by women
The crypto space has long been perceived as male-dominated, and the Triple-A data suggest that the gender gap in crypto ownership persists. Globally, men comprise 61% of all digital asset owners, with women making up just 39%. However, this data also means that there are close to 155 million women worldwide who are now owning cryptocurrency, which is, in absolute terms, a remarkable number that keeps growing. Furthermore, the gender distribution is uneven across countries and in some regions it is less pronounced than in others.
One promising observation here is that, among the youngest age group (18-24), the gender gap is much narrower, with only a 2% difference in ownership rates between men and women. This trend among younger demographics indicates a potential shift toward a more balanced gender distribution in the near future. The narrowing gap may be attributed to increasing financial literacy and technological empowerment among younger women, coupled with targeted educational initiatives in the crypto space.
More educated and tech-savvy
Cryptocurrency owners often come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. They typically have higher education levels, with many holding degrees in fields such as technology, finance, and engineering. These individuals are usually employed in professional or managerial roles, especially in sectors that are early adopters of technology. This includes positions in IT, financial services, and entrepreneurial ventures where there is a significant overlap between their professional skills and the technical requirements of understanding and managing cryptocurrencies.
Multiple studies suggest that many crypto owners are self-identified risk-takers who are not only looking for financial gain but also interested in the innovative aspects of blockchain technology. Their investments are as much about supporting and participating in a technological revolution as they are about potential monetary returns. This demographic's higher disposable income allows them to experiment with high-risk, high-reward assets without jeopardizing their financial stability.
At the same time, at least in the U.S. context, several studies have found a greater share of ethnic minorities among cryptocurrency owners than that of White Americans, which could serve as evidence of digital assets facilitating a more equitable access to financial services.
Geographic Distribution
Cryptocurrency ownership is not evenly distributed across the globe, with significant variations by region and country.
According to Triple-A’s study, Asia leads in absolute numbers, with ownership rising from 268.2 million in 2023 to 326.8 million in 2024, marking a 21.8% increase. North America follows, with a substantial increase of 38.6% bringing the total to 72.2 million. South America exhibits the highest growth rate, with ownership soaring by 116.5% and reaching 55.2 million over the last year. Europe and Oceania also show significant increases, while Africa experiences more moderate growth.
Source: Triple-A
In a country-level ranking, the UAE leads the world in cryptocurrency ownership, with 30.39% of its population holding digital assets. Ranking second with 24.4% is Singapore, followed by Turkey, which ranks third with 19.3%, and Argentina with 18.9%.
Usage Patterns
Cryptocurrencies are used for a variety of purposes beyond investment, reflecting their growing integration into everyday financial activities. Based on a survey of 7000 participants across seven countries – Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, The USA, Hong Kong, Canada, and The UAE – Triple-A assessed consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding cryptocurrency uses.
Investment
According to this study, cryptocurrencies are primarily used as investment vehicles. The investment strategies vary, with some individuals engaging in day trading, leveraging the volatility of the market to make profits, while others adopt a long-term approach, holding assets in anticipation of future value appreciation.
The proliferation of mobile trading apps has democratized access to cryptocurrency markets, allowing individuals to manage their investments on-the-go. The integration of advanced features like automated trading bots and portfolio management tools caters to both novice and experienced traders, enhancing their ability to capitalize on market movements.
Payments
There is a growing trend towards using cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions. Surveys indicate a strong consumer interest in using digital currencies for payments, driven by the benefits of lower transaction fees, faster processing times, and enhanced security.
Daily retail goods, travel, hospitality, and high-value items are common categories where crypto payments are gaining traction. The convenience of using cryptocurrencies for everyday purchases is increasingly appealing to consumers, and businesses are beginning to recognize the competitive advantage of accepting digital currencies.
Store of value
In regions characterized by economic instability, cryptocurrencies are increasingly viewed as a store of value. For example, in Argentina where local currency suffers from hyperinflation, cryptocurrencies can offer a stable alternative. Bitcoin, often referred to as "digital gold," is particularly popular in these contexts due to its deflationary nature and limited supply.
Final Thoughts
The landscape of cryptocurrency ownership in 2024 is diverse and dynamic. From young adults in countries with developed tech scenes to citizens in economically volatile regions, the profile of crypto owners presents a wide spectrum. The increasing acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies into daily life and commerce indicate a significant shift in the global financial ecosystem. As regulatory frameworks continue to develop and technological innovations emerge, the role of cryptocurrencies is set to expand, offering new opportunities and challenges for users and businesses alike, drawing more individuals around the world into the ranks of Web3 users.