Only 4% of people worldwide own Bitcoin in 2025

A recent report by River Financial reveals that just 4% of the global population owns Bitcoin as of 2025, signaling significant room for growth in cryptocurrency adoption.

The United States has the highest concentration of Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) ownership, with an estimated 14% of its population holding the digital asset.

In contrast, Africa reports the lowest ownership rate at only 1.6%, reflecting regional disparities in adoption.

River’s analysis suggests that Bitcoin has achieved merely 3% of its total adoption potential globally.

This figure accounts for Bitcoin’s total addressable market, including governments, corporations, and institutions, which collectively represent just 1% of adoption so far.

The report highlights that Bitcoin adoption tends to be higher in developed regions compared to developing economies.

Despite its progress since its inception, several hurdles continue to limit mass adoption on a global scale.

One major obstacle is the lack of financial and technical education, which fosters misconceptions about Bitcoin, such as the belief that it is a scam or Ponzi scheme.

“Bitcoin stands at the intersection of technology and finance,” according to River, making it a complex subject for many individuals to grasp fully.

Another challenge is Bitcoin’s high volatility, which poses risks for those using it as a medium of exchange or store of value.

This volatility disproportionately affects residents in developing economies, many of whom have turned to US dollar-pegged stablecoins due to their relative stability and lower transaction costs.

A 2023 Chainalysis report found that stablecoins were the most widely transferred digital assets in Latin American countries, further underscoring this trend.

During the White House Crypto Summit on March 7, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced the importance of stablecoins, stating they would be used to maintain US dollar dominance as the global reserve currency.

While Bitcoin adoption remains limited today, River’s findings suggest significant growth potential as education improves and institutional interest increases.

At the time of reporting, the Bitcoin (BTC) price was $82,628.34.