Bitcoin adoption highest in El Salvador and Venezuela, Cornell report finds

Cornell University has found that Bitcoin ownership is highest in El Salvador, Venezuela, and Nigeria after surveying 25,880 people across 25 countries. Summary El Salvador recorded the highest share of respondents who had owned Bitcoin, followed by Venezuela and Nigeria. Economic instability and limited dollar access were common factors in countries with high ownership. 58% of respondents did not know that Bitcoin’s maximum supply is capped at 21 million coins. U.S. ownership reached 24%, although knowledge of Bitcoin’s supply limit remained low. Cornell University’s Bitcoin Adoption Index found that people in countries with unstable currencies, limited banking access, or difficulty obtaining U.S. dollars were more likely to use Bitcoin as a financial tool rather than solely as a speculative investment. Researchers examined ownership, knowledge, trust, and usage across 25 markets. Morning Consult conducted the 125-question survey between Dec. 16, 2024, and March 10, 2025, collecting responses from 25,880 participants. The study was commissioned by Cornell and developed with the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy’s Institute for Technology Policy, the Cornell Bitcoin Club, the H...