Catenaa, Friday, December 19, 2025- The share of UK adults holding crypto assets fell to 8% in 2025 from 12% a year earlier, according to consumer research published by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The survey, conducted by YouGov for the regulator, found that ownership declined from last year’s peak but remained about double the level recorded in 2021. Public awareness of crypto stayed high at 91%, largely unchanged from recent years.
While fewer adults reported holding crypto, those who do are holding larger amounts.
The proportion of users with holdings of £100 or less continued to fall, while ownership of higher-value portfolios increased.
About 21% of crypto users reported holdings between £1,001 and £5,000, up four percentage points from 2024. Those holding between £5,001 and £10,000 rose to 11%, an increase of three points.
Centralized exchanges strengthened their position as the main entry point for crypto ownership. Around 73% of respondents said they typically acquire assets through platforms such as Coinbase, Binance or Kraken, up from the previous year.
Payment firms offering crypto services accounted for 15%. Users pointed to ease of use, reputation, and security as leading factors in platform choice.
The research showed a wide gap in risk tolerance. About 63% of crypto users said they were willing to accept higher risk for higher returns, compared with 24% of non-owners who were aware of crypto.
Use of staking, lending and credit-based purchases declined in 2025.
The findings come as the UK advances a phased crypto regulatory framework.
The legislation introduced this week brings crypto within the financial regulatory perimeter, with detailed FCA rules expected in 2026 and enforcement from 2027.
