Bitcoin In 2025: Only 4% Of The Global Population Owns It

Despite the media hype surrounding bitcoin, the majority of the world’s population remains reluctant to embrace Satoshi Nakamoto’s flagship crypto. In 2025, only 4% of individuals own BTC, mainly concentrated in the United States with 14% adoption. This situation highlights that the path to massive adoption is still fraught with obstacles, particularly due to technological complexity and persistent negative perceptions.

Bitcoin: why does nobody want to talk about it?

Bitcoin, this digital gold that generates so much ink, struggles to attract the general public. In 2025, only 4% of the global population holds BTC, with a notable concentration in the United States where 14% of individuals have made the leap. In contrast, Africa has an adoption rate of only 1.6%.

These figures come from a report by River Financial , which estimates that bitcoin has reached only 3% of its maximum adoption potential.

Several obstacles hinder this massive adoption:

• A lack of financial and technical education, reinforcing the idea that BTC is a scam or a Ponzi scheme;
• High volatility, which deters those who see it as a reliable store of value;
• A technological complexity that makes access difficult for non-initiates.

As summarized in a tweet from TFTC21:

“The adoption of Bitcoin today is where online banking was in 1996 and social networks in 2005. If you think you’re late, you’re not.“

But how to overcome these obstacles for bitcoin to become a universal currency?

Bitcoin everywhere? Not so fast…

The adoption of bitcoin varies significantly by region around the globe. Developed countries show higher rates, while developing nations lag behind. This disparity can be explained by several factors, including limited access to technology and insufficient financial education.

Estimation of the number of bitcoin owners by region. Source: River

However, initiatives are emerging to reverse the trend. For instance, El Salvador adopted bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, hoping to boost its economy. Despite this progress, adoption by the population remains limited, illustrating the ongoing challenges.

Furthermore, the growth of the Lightning Network , a second-layer solution aimed at improving bitcoin’s scalability, offers encouraging prospects. By making transactions faster and cheaper, this technology could facilitate the adoption of BTC, especially in regions where financial infrastructures are weak.

As Mario Nawfal points out:

“Only 4% of the population owns bitcoin in 2025. Would you compare the current adoption of cryptos to that of the Internet in the 90s? We are just getting started!“

But will these advancements be enough to convince skeptics and propel bitcoin toward global adoption?

In summary, despite still limited global adoption, positive signs are emerging. For example, the number of active mobile wallets reached a historic record of 36 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting a growing interest in cryptocurrencies.