While the proportion of owners declines, high-value wallets are on the rise, according to FCA survey data.
A recent survey commissioned by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) sheds light on the state of the cryptocurrency market in the country: while overall ownership among the population has decreased, the total value of digital assets held continues to grow.
According to the YouGov survey results published by the FCA, cryptocurrency ownership among UK adults fell to 8% in 2025, down from 12% in 2024. The analysis is based on 2,353 interviews conducted between August 5 and September 2.
Despite this decline, the current figure is still double that of 2021, when only 4% of the population held cryptocurrencies.
Ownership is higher among men, at 11%, compared with women, and is most concentrated among people aged 18 to 34, where 15% report holding crypto.
The survey also highlights the distribution of wallet values. While the number of small-holding investors is decreasing, those holding larger portfolios are increasing. According to the report, 21% of respondents hold cryptocurrencies valued between £1,001 and £5,000, while 11% report holding digital assets worth between £5,001 and £10,000.
“More people are moving away from small holdings and are instead making larger investments,” said the FCA, adding: “Notably, those participating in [lending and borrowing] tend to be more knowledgeable, more comfortable with risk, and more aware of our warnings than the average crypto user.”
Among survey participants who confirmed owning crypto, around 57% reported holding bitcoin, while 43% held ether. Ownership of altcoins was significantly lower compared to the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
The survey results were published the same day the FCA launched three consultations on regulations for exchanges, staking, lending, and DeFi. The financial watchdog requested feedback from interested entities by February, as part of the UK government’s efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
