Global Population Holding Bitcoin Reaches 4%

Only 4% of the global population currently owns Bitcoin, with the United States leading adoption at an estimated 14% of individuals holding BTC.

A research report from River, a Bitcoin financial services company, highlights that North America has the highest adoption rate among both individuals and institutions, while Africa has the lowest at just 1.6%.

In general, Bitcoin adoption appears higher in developed regions compared to developing ones.

River estimates that BTC has reached only 3% of its total adoption potential, suggesting that the cryptocurrency remains in its early growth stage.

River calculated the 3% adoption rate by assessing Bitcoin's total addressable market, which includes governments, corporations, and institutions, currently estimated at just 1% participation.

To reach this figure, the study also factored in institutional underallocation and individual ownership rates.

While Bitcoin has made significant progress since its cypherpunk origins, even becoming a US government reserve asset, several barriers still prevent widespread global adoption.

Bitcoin sits at the intersection of technology and finance, two complex industries that require significant education and understanding.

One of the biggest challenges to Bitcoin’s mass adoption is the lack of financial and technical literacy, leading to persistent misconceptions—including claims that BTC is a scam or Ponzi scheme.

Additionally, Bitcoin’s high volatility presents a dilemma. While it attracts short-term traders, it can be a major obstacle for those using BTC as a currency or long-term store of value.

A 2023 report from Chainalysis found that stablecoins are the most widely transferred digital asset in many Latin American countries.

This preference is driven by Bitcoin’s volatility, which disproportionately impacts residents in developing economies.

Many have turned to US dollar stablecoins as a more stable digital store of value with lower transaction fees.

At the White House Crypto Summit on March 7, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the role of stablecoins in maintaining U.S. dollar dominance and protecting its status as the world’s reserve currency.

Sources:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/only-4-world-population-holds-bitcoin-2025

https://river.com/learn/files/river-bitcoin-adoption-report-2025.pdf

https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/latin-america-cryptocurrency-adoption/