Eastern Europe, and especially Lithuania, is quietly becoming Europe’s fintech tiger. Cryptocurrencies and crypto assets have been slow to win the hearts of Lithuanians, but that has been changing rapidly. Although only 1.17 percent of the population owns bitcoin, cryptocurrency usage is about seven times higher in the Baltic republic.
Statistics portal Statista.com estimates that the cryptocurrency market in Lithuania will grow by more than five percent next year. [1] [2] According to Chainalysis, Lithuania is an important part of the Eastern European crypto scene. The entire region currently represents the fourth-largest cryptocurrency market in the world, with about $500 billion in crypto assets—around 11 percent of the global crypto market. [3]
This underscores Lithuania’s role as a gateway to the eurozone for crypto assets. Its membership in the European Union and the eurozone, along with an innovation-friendly environment, attracts fintech platforms, talent, and human and financial capital.
The popularity of cryptocurrencies in Lithuania is steadily increasing, driven by strong digital literacy and solid infrastructure. Currently, fewer than eight percent of Lithuanians use cryptocurrencies, equal to just over 200,000 people, but the number is expected to surpass 230,000 next year.
Lithuania is home to both global and local platforms. Binance leads by trading volume, followed by Bitget, OKX, Kraken, and CEX.IO. All of these crypto exchanges are subject to strict EU and national rules. At the same time, large institutional players are expanding their presence. Banks in Lithuania have significantly increased their crypto holdings, with assets under management rising from €400 million in 2023 to €4.7 billion in 2024.
The adoption of the EU’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation has further reinforced Lithuania’s attractiveness as a crypto hub. In just a few years, the country has evolved from a crypto newcomer into one of Europe’s key players — and this transformation is happening quickly.
Sources:
[1] https://www.disruptionbanking.com/2025/08/19/the-rise-in-popularity-of-crypto-in-lithuania/
[2] https://www.statista.com/outlook/fmo/digital-assets/cryptocurrencies/lithuania
[3] https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2024-eastern-europe-crypto-adoption/