UK Crypto Ownership Declines to 8% in 2025 Amid Regulatory Changes
UK crypto ownership fell to 8% of UK adults in 2025, down from 12% in 2024, marking the first clear decline since the pandemic, according to the FCA Cryptoassets Consumer Research 2025. Despite this drop, 2025 ownership remains roughly double the 4% level seen in 2021.
High-value crypto portfolios are increasing, with 21% of holders possessing between £1,001 and £5,000 and 11% holding between £5,001 and £10,000. Conversely, holdings of £100 or less have shrunk. Crypto holders tend to be younger and predominantly male, with the 18–34 age group most likely to own crypto at 15%, and ownership higher among men (11%) compared to women.
Bitcoin remains the dominant asset, held by 57% of users, followed by Ethereum at 43%. Other cryptocurrencies such as Solana, Dogecoin, XRP, and Cardano are less commonly owned. Centralized exchanges continue to be the main access point for crypto users, with 73% of them accessing crypto via these platforms. Coinbase and Binance are the most widely used exchanges, although Binance’s market share has declined.
Regarding spending patterns, 76% of crypto purchases are funded by disposable income, 25% from long-term savings, and 19% from prior gains. Additionally, 9% of buyers used credit, 5% purchased crypto after October 2024, and 17% received rewards within the past six months.
On the regulatory front, UK government legislation in 2025 has placed crypto activities under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and digital assets have been recognized as personal property by an Act of Parliament. A full regulatory regime is not expected until 2027. Meanwhile, the FCA is accelerating approvals and launching consultations on various areas, including trading, staking, lending, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
Globally, the UK ranks 11th in the Chainalysis crypto adoption index, behind countries such as India, the United States, Brazil, and Vietnam.
