Crypto Ownership Rises to 741M Worldwide in 2025
The number of people worldwide holding cryptocurrency reached an estimated 741 million in 2025, according to Crypto.com’s latest Crypto Market Sizing Report. That represents a 12.4% increase from 2024, when the global total stood at roughly 659 million.
The data suggests that adoption continued to grow steadily through the year, even as trading activity and prices moved through periods of volatility. Growth was supported by a mix of policy developments, institutional participation, and expanding use cases beyond retail trading.
What pushed adoption higher in 2025?
One of the defining developments of the year came from the United States. The federal government moved to formalize its stance on digital assets by establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve alongside a broader Digital Asset Stockpile. While largely symbolic, the move reinforced Bitcoin’s status as a recognized financial asset.
At the same time, public companies continued to add digital assets to their balance sheets. Digital asset treasuries became more common, while tokenization of real-world assets gained momentum in the second half of the year.
Bitcoin ownership rose from 337 million people in 2024 to 365 million in 2025, an increase of 8.3%. BTC accounts for just under half of all crypto holders globally. Ethereum showed stronger relative growth, with ownership climbing 22.6% to 175 million holders, or about 23.6% of the total.
Investor Takeaway
Are institutions now driving adoption?
Retail users still account for most of the growth in absolute numbers. However, institutional activity has become a more consistent backdrop rather than a short-term catalyst.
Regulatory clarity helped. Crypto.com said it secured multiple licenses during 2025, including MiCA and MiFID approvals in Europe and a full set of CFTC derivatives licenses in the United States. Similar regulatory progress across major markets lowered friction for institutional participation.
Instead of sharp spikes tied to speculative cycles, adoption appears to be spreading more evenly across regions and use cases.
What the numbers say about 2026
With 741 million holders, cryptocurrency ownership now represents close to 9% of the global population. Growth has slowed compared with early adoption phases but remains positive.
For markets, this points to a maturing user base. Policy alignment, corporate treasury activity, and infrastructure development are becoming more important than short-term retail enthusiasm.
Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek said 2025 was defined by regulatory progress and deeper integration in the U.S. market. Looking ahead, continued adoption will likely depend on how regulations are implemented and whether institutional participation continues to expand.
Investor Takeaway
For investors and traders, the takeaway is simple: the crypto user base continues to expand, but growth is becoming steadier and more policy-driven.
Full release: https://crypto.com/en-nl/company-news/global-cryptocurrency-ownership-reaches-741-million-in-2025
