The survey found that the vast majority of surveyed investors in APAC and LATAM emerging markets are eager to get more crypto because they believe in its long-term growth trajectory.
BRIAN NEWAR
A recent survey has revealed that out of those surveyed, a whopping 75% of investors in Asia-Pacific and Latin American emerging markets are looking to increase their exposure to cryptocurrency investments.
Researchers from consumer sentiments firm Toluna surveyed 9,000 people from 17 countries to complete the February report which found that more investors in APAC and LATAM emerging markets believe cryptocurrency investments are on a long-term upward trend. This is contrasted with developed markets that tend to believe crypto is in the midst of another hype cycle.
Emerging markets appear to be the most lucrative markets for growth in the cryptocurrency industry, as 32% of consumers surveyed have trust in cryptocurrency compared with just 14% in developed markets such as the United States and the European Union.
The data suggested that two of the major factors contributing to the broad differences in investing strategy are likely to have awareness and understanding of the crypto markets. Despite 61% of respondents reporting that they are aware of crypto, only 23% said they are familiar with the asset class. Toluna proposes that this may be because “it’s a complex concept that’s not easily understood.”
These days, crypto and nonfungible token (NFT) advertising can be found in many places including professional sports arenas around the world, increasing awareness but not necessarily increasing understanding.
The relative difference in trust is reflected by the disparity between those surveyed who have invested in crypto in emerging markets (41%) and those in developed ones (22%). The trust difference is further illustrated by the lower sense of risk perceived by investors in emerging markets. Just 25% of investors in emerging markets believe crypto is too risky to dabble in, whereas 42% in developed markets feel that way.
However, the overall perceived risk in crypto remains high. The report states that “45% of consumers agree that cryptocurrencies are not guaranteed to succeed.” It continues:
“Whereas 61% of consumers trust fixed, traditional deposits, just 23% say they trust cryptocurrency deposits in today’s market.”
The survey concluded that the generation with the highest proportion of crypto investors was Millennials. Toluna found that an average of 40.5% of Millennials surveyed aged 25-34 in emerging and developed markets invest in crypto. This data matches up with other similar surveys like Morning Consult’s, which found that 48% of Millennial households surveyed owned crypto by December 2021.
Related: Aussie advisory committee lists key factors for easing crypto adoption
GenZ investors aged 18-24 reported a rate of investment just below that of Millennials at 40% between both markets. However, Baby Boomers aged 57-64 had the lowest rate of investment with just 21% reporting plans to invest in crypto.
