Global Crypto Adoption Statistics: Key Trends and Insights for 2026

The global landscape of cryptocurrency adoption continues to evolve at an astonishing pace. As digital assets gain wider acceptance, countries across the world are embracing crypto in various ways from mobile transactions to institutional investments.

This article delves into the key trends and statistics shaping cryptocurrency adoption in 2026, highlighting major growth areas, market shifts, and the rising influence of digital currencies in both retail and institutional sectors.

Crypto Ownership by Country

• According to the Chainalysis 2025 Global Adoption Index, India and the United States are leading the world in cryptocurrency adoption.
• According to CoinLaw (2025), cryptocurrency ownership in the Philippines increased from 17.8% to between 22% and 23%, reaching roughly 16 million users, with growth largely fueled by remittance activity.
• In 2025, El Salvador continues to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender, with 85% of small businesses reportedly accepting BTC as a form of payment.
• As of early 2026, South Africa reports that 17.2% of mobile transactions are conducted using stablecoins.
• Thailand is launching the “TouristDigiPay” program in late 2025, allowing foreign tourists to convert cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC into Thai baht via 15 licensed platforms. 

Adoption Growth YoY

• Over the 12 months ending in June 2025, APAC ranked as the fastest-growing region for on-chain crypto activity, with value received rising 69% year over year. Total crypto transaction volume in the region increased from $1.4 trillion to $2.36 trillion, fueled by strong participation in key markets such as India, Vietnam, and Pakistan.
• Between July 2024 and June 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) received over $205 billion in on-chain value, up roughly 52% from the previous year. Crypto adoption in Latin America increased by 63%, signaling expanding participation from both retail users and institutional players. 
• From January to July 2025, South Asia ranked as the fastest-expanding crypto adoption region, posting an 80% year-over-year increase and generating roughly USD 300 billion in transaction volume.
• TRM data indicates that U.S. crypto transaction volume climbed approximately 50% between January and July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, surpassing USD 1 trillion.
• Japan recorded a 120% increase in on-chain value received in the 12 months ending June 2025 compared with the previous 12-month period, exceeding the growth rates seen in Indonesia (103%), South Korea (100%), India (99%), and Vietnam (55%).
• Between July 2024 and June 2025, Circle’s EURC saw an extraordinary 2,727% growth, far surpassing USDC’s 86% increase during the same timeframe

Age & Gender Distribution

• According to security.org (2026), among female crypto owners, the largest group is aged 45-59, followed by those in the 30-44 age range. In comparison, male crypto owners are generally younger, with 35% in the 30-44 bracket and 29% in the 45-59 range. Overall, about two-thirds of all crypto owners fall within the 30-59 age range.
• As of December 2025, global figures reveal that male respondents consistently demonstrate higher levels of crypto knowledge than females, with 24% of men reporting a strong understanding of crypto, compared to only 14% of women.
• Data from a 2025 Deutsche Bank Research survey confirms that young consumers (aged 18-34) in the UK saw the largest surge in cryptocurrency adoption, increasing from 14% in January to 26% by December 2025.
• As of the end of 2025, the average age of a global crypto user is 34.8 years, with a median portfolio value of $1,300.
• CoinLaw data from early 2026 shows that Generation Z leads U.S. crypto adoption, with 28% ownership, making it the fastest-growing group.
• In 2025, approximately 61% of cryptocurrency users aged 18–34 in Latin America use digital assets for remittances, driven by high fees, currency volatility, and economic instability.
• In 2025, Nigeria’s cryptocurrency adoption is driven by a young, tech-savvy population, with 74% of crypto holders being under the age of 30.
• As of Q3 2025, Indonesia leads Southeast Asia with 46% of its crypto users being female.
• As of Q3 2025, crypto ownership in the United States is distributed as follows: Millennials account for 57% of all crypto owners, Gen X holds 20%, Gen Z represents 13%, and Baby Boomers hold 10% of the total crypto ownership share.

Income

• The Chainalysis report highlights that by Q2 2025, cryptocurrency adoption has spread across almost all income brackets. The report shows that high-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries have all experienced notable increases in adoption. 
• Data from early 2026 analyzing 2025 consumer behavior confirms that cryptocurrency adoption among wealthy UK consumers (27%) surpassed that of high-income U.S. earners (20%) by December 2025.
• US income earners in the $100K saw a decline in crypto adoption, dropping from 30% in January 2025 to 20% in December 2025, as public sentiment toward cryptocurrency turned more pessimistic.
• The lowest income earners in the EU (6%) and UK (4%) experienced a decline in crypto usage, while those in the middle-income brackets saw only limited improvement.

Merchant Acceptance & Payments

• According to a report released on January 27, 2026, by PayPal and the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA), 39% of merchants in the U.S. have implemented cryptocurrency payment options at checkout, with many anticipating that crypto payments will become commonplace within the next five years.
• A January 2026 PayPal report reveals that nearly 88% of U.S. merchants have received inquiries from customers regarding cryptocurrency payments, with 69% reporting that customers express interest in using crypto for transactions at least once per month.
• According to the report, four in five merchants (79%) agree that accepting cryptocurrency could help attract new customers, emphasizing its value as both a payment method and a growth lever. For those already accepting crypto, the demand is clearly evident.
• A January 2026 PayPal survey shows that 50% of companies with annual revenues exceeding $500 million have adopted cryptocurrency payments, compared to 34% of small businesses and 32% of midsize firms.
• The data indicates that younger consumers are driving the demand for cryptocurrency, with 77% of Millennials and 73% of Gen Z or younger individuals expressing interest in using digital currencies.
• The survey reveals that small businesses see considerable interest from Gen Z, with 82% of the inquiries coming from this demographic. Merchants also point to several advantages of accepting digital currencies, such as quicker transaction times (45%), the ability to attract new customers (45%), better security (41%), and enhanced buyer privacy (40%).
• The adoption of digital assets is most prominent in industries like hospitality and travel (81%), gaming, digital goods and luxury retail (76%), as well as retail and e-commerce (69%). These sectors benefit from key factors, including quicker transaction times, broader global accessibility, and the increasing presence of digital-native consumers.
• Additionally, 90% of merchants would be willing to accept digital assets if the setup were as easy as accepting credit card payments. The same percentage would also adopt them if the payment process were as smooth as conventional methods.
• Japan has embraced widespread cryptocurrency adoption in retail, with over 35,000 locations accepting crypto payments as of 2026, including major electronics retailers and convenience store chains. 
• As of 2026, Germany has incorporated cryptocurrency into 10.2% of e-commerce checkouts, thanks to a strong network of 28 fintech partnerships, establishing the country as a frontrunner in crypto-friendly regulations.
• Brazil has significantly expanded its cryptocurrency infrastructure, reaching 110,000 active Point of Sale (POS) terminal installations by February 2026. 
• On November 21, 2025, the Philippines is speeding up its digital economy by integrating over 1.3 million merchants with payment processors such as Coins.ph and Ronin, boosting the adoption of digital payments.

Institutional & Corporate Adoption

• The second-quarter 2025 North American CFO Signals survey revealed that only 1% of CFOs from companies with annual revenues of at least $1 billion do not foresee using cryptocurrency for business functions in the long run.
• 23% of CFOs indicated that their treasury departments plan to adopt cryptocurrency for investments or payments within the next two years. This figure is even higher, nearing 40%, among CFOs of companies generating $10 billion or more in revenue.
• The survey also found that 23% of CFOs anticipate their treasury departments will start using cryptocurrency for either investments or payments within the next two years. Among CFOs at companies generating over $10 billion in revenue, this figure increases to almost 40%.
• The  survey also revealed that CFOs see several benefits from adopting cryptocurrency. 45% of CFOs cited improved protection of customer privacy as the top benefit, while 39% noted enhanced facilitation of cross-border transactions as another significant advantage.
• In Q1 2026, UBS Group AG, a Zurich-based financial institution managing more than $7 trillion in client assets, is investigating opportunities to provide individual investors with access to cryptocurrency.

References and Sources

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