2 December 2024

2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index: Discover the Leading Countries in Cryptocurrency Usage

Explore the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index to discover which countries are leading in cryptocurrency usage and adoption.

2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index: Discover the Leading Countries in Cryptocurrency Usage

Explore the 2024 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index through our interactive map, which reveals how your country ranks in the world of cryptocurrency adoption.

This article is an excerpt from our comprehensive 2024 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report, available for download now!

We are thrilled to present the fifth annual Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index. Each year, we analyze both on-chain and off-chain data to identify the countries that are at the forefront of grassroots cryptocurrency adoption. Our research sheds light on nations where innovative cryptocurrency use cases are emerging and investigates the reasons behind the global embrace of crypto.

Key Insights from the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index

Want to see the complete index ranking for all countries? Download the full 2024 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report!

The Global Crypto Adoption Index comprises four sub-indexes, each reflecting the usage of various cryptocurrency services across countries. We rank 151 countries based on sufficient data for each sub-index, adjusting the rankings according to factors like population size and purchasing power. The final score, normalized on a scale from 0 to 1, determines each country's overall ranking, with scores closer to 1 indicating higher rankings.

To calculate our sub-indexes, we estimate transaction volumes for different cryptocurrency services based on web traffic patterns. While we recognize that web traffic data may not be perfect—due to the use of VPNs by some crypto users—our index incorporates hundreds of millions of cryptocurrency transactions and over 13 billion web visits, making any misattribution minimal. We also validate our findings with insights from local crypto experts and operators worldwide, enhancing our confidence in this methodology.

Breakdown of the Sub-Indexes

  1. Centralized Services Value Received: This sub-index ranks countries by the total cryptocurrency value received on centralized platforms, adjusted for GDP per capita on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. Countries with a higher ratio of on-chain value received to GDP per capita rank higher.

  2. Individual User Activity: We assess the activity of non-professional cryptocurrency users on centralized services, focusing on retail-sized transactions (under $10,000). This metric is similarly weighted to favor countries with lower GDP per capita.

  3. DeFi Transaction Volume: Countries are ranked by their DeFi transaction volume, with a focus on retail-sized transfers and adjusted for GDP per capita.

  4. Retail DeFi Transfers: This sub-index ranks countries based on DeFi transaction volume from retail-sized transfers, again weighted by GDP per capita.

This year, we have refined our methodology for measuring cryptocurrency value received by decentralized protocols, ensuring more accurate estimates by focusing solely on value received from personal wallets and excluding known DeFi wallets.

Trends in Global Crypto Adoption

Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) lead the 2024 Index, with seven of the top 20 countries located in this region. The full report discusses the unique crypto markets in CSAO, characterized by high activity on local exchanges and in DeFi.

Between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024, global crypto activity surged, surpassing levels seen during the 2021 bull market. This growth was observed across all income brackets, with a notable increase in institutional-sized transfers, particularly in North America and Western Europe, following the launch of the Bitcoin ETF in the United States.

Conversely, stablecoin activity saw significant growth in lower-income regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, highlighting real-world use cases.

DeFi activity also rose notably in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, likely contributing to increased altcoin activity in these areas.

For a deeper understanding of these trends, regulatory developments, and how countries are utilizing crypto, read our full 2024 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report.

Conclusion

Want to see the full index ranking for all countries? Download the 2024 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report today!

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This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Recipients should consult their advisors before making decisions. Chainalysis is not liable for any decisions made based on this material.

Chainalysis does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this report and will not be responsible for any claims arising from errors or inaccuracies.

Source: Chainalysis