A recent study reveals that only 4% of people worldwide currently own Bitcoin (BTC), with the highest ownership concentration found in the United States, where approximately 14% of the population possesses BTC.
The research, conducted by BTC financial services firm River, highlights that North America leads in both individual and institutional Bitcoin adoption. In contrast, Africa records the lowest adoption rate, standing at just 1.6%.
The study also points out a correlation between Bitcoin adoption and economic development, with more advanced economies showing higher adoption rates. River’s findings suggest that Bitcoin has reached just 3% of its full adoption potential, reinforcing the idea that it is still in the early stages of mainstream acceptance.
To determine this 3% figure, River assessed Bitcoin’s total addressable market, including governments, corporations, and institutions, which currently contribute only 1% to the adoption rate. The firm also factored in underinvestment from institutions and individual ownership rates.
While Bitcoin has progressed significantly from its early days within the cypherpunk community—most notably becoming a US government reserve asset—several challenges continue to hinder its widespread global adoption.
Barriers to Mass Adoption
Bitcoin sits at the crossroads of technology and finance, two complex fields that can be challenging to understand, especially for newcomers. One of the biggest obstacles to broader adoption is the lack of financial and technological literacy. This knowledge gap fuels common misconceptions about Bitcoin, with some still believing it to be a scam or a Ponzi scheme.
Another significant issue is Bitcoin’s notorious volatility. While beneficial for short-term traders, this price unpredictability makes it less ideal as a medium of exchange or a reliable store of value. This problem disproportionately affects people in developing nations, many of whom prefer US dollar-pegged stablecoins due to their stability and lower transaction costs.
During the recent White House Crypto Summit on March 7, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the United States intends to leverage stablecoins to maintain the dollar’s global dominance and reinforce its status as the world’s reserve currency.
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