Only 4% of the world’s population will own Bitcoin in 2025

Despite the growing notoriety of Bitcoin (BTC), its spread among the global population remains limited. According to a recent report by River, a financial services company specializing in BTC, only 4% of the global population currently owns Bitcoin. This data highlights a wide margin for growth in the adoption of the world’s most famous cryptocurrency.  

Global distribution and concentration of Bitcoin  

The ownership of Bitcoin is not evenly distributed globally. Data indicates that the country with the highest concentration of BTC holders is the United States, where 14% of individuals own Bitcoin.

At the continental level, North America has the highest adoption rate, among both retail and institutional investors. Africa, on the other hand, is the continent with the lowest adoption rate, with only 1.6% of the population holding BTC. The report also shows that the adoption of Bitcoin is more advanced in developed countries compared to emerging economies.

Bitcoin is still in the early stage of global adoption  

Despite its growth in recent years, Bitcoin remains in the early stages of its adoption cycle. The River report estimates that BTC has reached only 3% of its maximum potential, a clear sign that the market still has plenty of room to expand. This figure was calculated considering the total addressable market of Bitcoin, which includes governments, companies, and institutions, currently estimated at 1% adoption.  

River has also analyzed the low level of institutional allocation and individual ownership rates, concluding that the path to widespread adoption is still long.  

The main barriers to the mass adoption of Bitcoin  

Bitcoin is positioned at the intersection of technology and finance, two complex sectors that, when combined, can become difficult for the general public to understand. This complexity represents one of the main obstacles to the widespread adoption of BTC.  

One of the most significant issues is the lack of financial and technical education, which fuels numerous prejudices and concerns about Bitcoin. Many individuals still view BTC with suspicion, considering it a scam or a Ponzi scheme. These misunderstandings make it more difficult for the cryptocurrency to gain the trust of the general public.  

Another significant challenge is the high volatility of Bitcoin’s price. While this characteristic favors short-term traders, it can discourage those who want to use Bitcoin as a currency of exchange or store of value.  

In developing countries, where economies are more vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets, many citizens prefer the stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. These digital currencies offer greater stability and lower transaction costs compared to Bitcoin, making them a more attractive option for the local population.

The role of the United States in the cryptocurrency ecosystem  

The United States continues to play a central role in the development of the crypto sector. During the White House Crypto Summit on March 7, the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the government will use stablecoin to maintain the hegemony of the US dollar and protect its role as a global reserve currency. This decision underscores the United States’ intention to remain key players in the evolution of the digital financial sector.

Bitcoin: an opportunity still in the expansion phase  

Despite the challenges, the low adoption rate of Bitcoin worldwide highlights a huge growth potential for the future. With only 4% of the global population currently involved, the potential for greater dissemination is significant, especially with an increase in financial education and the technological infrastructure necessary to support BTC.  

Although still in its early stages of adoption, Bitcoin continues to consolidate its role in the global economy, attracting increasing attention from individuals, institutions, and governments.