Cornell University researchers surveyed 25,880 individuals across 25 countries to analyze global bitcoin adoption. The study, conducted between December 16, 2024, and March 10, 2025, involved 125 questions per participant to assess how and why people use the cryptocurrency.
The report identifies El Salvador, Venezuela, and Nigeria as the leading nations for bitcoin ownership. According to the findings, users in these regions primarily utilize bitcoin as a practical tool to bypass unstable national currencies, limited banking access, and strict monetary controls rather than for speculation.
Despite high usage, the study highlights a significant knowledge gap regarding the protocol's mechanics. Specifically, 58% of respondents were unaware that the total supply of bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins.
The research was a collaborative effort involving the Brooks School Tech Policy Institute, the Cornell Bitcoin Club, the Human Rights Foundation, and the Reynolds Foundation, with fieldwork performed by Morning Consult.
