Cornell University study reveals global Bitcoin ownership at 13.2%

A study by Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy reveals that global Bitcoin (BTC) ownership stands at 13.2% among adults across 25 surveyed countries. While global awareness is high at 90.1%, actual understanding remains low; only 13% of those aware of Bitcoin could correctly identify its 21 million supply cap.

Ownership rates vary significantly by region. El Salvador leads with a 28.6% ownership rate, followed by the United Arab Emirates (20.9%), Turkey (19.9%), Venezuela (19.8%), and Brazil (19.6%). In contrast, Japan shows low engagement, with an ownership rate of only 7.4% and an awareness level of 74.1%.

In Japan, sentiment toward Bitcoin is notably cautious. Approximately 69.9% of respondents described it as ‘difficult to understand,’ the highest among the 25 countries, and 60.4% expressed concerns regarding potential scams. Furthermore, only 18.6% of Japanese respondents viewed Bitcoin as a tool to ‘increase financial freedom,’ the lowest rate in the study.

The research, supported by the Human Rights Foundation, also highlights demographic disparities, noting that ownership is higher among men, individuals aged 30–44, higher-income earners, and those with university degrees.