Quarter of APAC Adults with Internet May Own Cryptocurrency, Study Finds

Quarter of Internet-Connected Adults in APAC May Hold Cryptocurrency

A recent report by Protocol Theory and CoinDesk reveals that nearly 25% of adults with internet access in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region might own cryptocurrency. The study, which surveyed 4,020 individuals across 10 countries, suggests that limited access to traditional financial services is driving cryptocurrency adoption. Additionally, stablecoins have gained traction among 18% of internet-connected adults in emerging markets.

Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Adoption

The report emphasizes that the growth of digital asset adoption depends on the ease of integrating these assets into daily life. It was released in anticipation of CoinDesk’s Consensus: Hong Kong conference next February.

Adoption Trends and Regulatory Impact

The "APAC Digital Asset Adoption 2025" report indicates that usability, integration, and inclusion are becoming more significant drivers of participation than speculation. Stablecoins, remittances, and tokenized assets are forming the backbone of a borderless digital economy, supported by enabling regulatory frameworks.

Survey data reveals that half of those familiar with cryptocurrency plan to use it within the next year, despite slow adoption rates over the past year. The survey included respondents from India, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Australia, Japan, and the UAE.

While traditional financial services remain relatively straightforward across the region, the complexity of using crypto wallets, exchanges, and token transfers poses challenges. However, evolving regulatory landscapes in various countries are fostering growth and adoption.

Over 70% of adults in emerging economies like the UAE, India, China, the Philippines, and Thailand view regulation as crucial, compared to 66% in Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore, and less than 50% in Japan.

This variance highlights differing levels of market confidence. In emerging markets, regulation serves as a substitute for institutional trust, legitimizing participation. In mature markets, regulation primarily manages risk.