Institutional investment is reshaping crypto
landscapes in established markets while emerging regions are becoming hubs of
innovation and retail adoption. This is according to Chainalysis’ report, which indicated
that crypto has become more mainstream than ever, with varied economic forces driving its adoption.
Central & Southern Asia
The 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index revealed that
Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) lead the world in crypto
adoption. The region boasts seven of the top 20 countries, showcasing high
levels of activity across centralized services and decentralized finance (DeFi)
protocols.
This rapid uptake is reportedly driven by a
combination of retail and institutional interest, as well as a need for more
accessible financial tools in emerging markets. Interestingly, crypto adoption in the CSAO region is
primarily focused on using local exchanges and services to facilitate everyday
transactions, which explains the high on-chain value of retail-sized transfers.
While CSAO leads in broad-based adoption, North
America, particularly the United States, remains the largest crypto market in
terms of sheer transaction volume. Over $1.3 trillion in on-chain value flowed through
North American markets from July 2023 to June 2024. This is largely fueled by
institutional players, with about 70% of transactions exceeding $1 million.
The US is emerging as a key pillar in global crypto,
buoyed by the landmark launch of Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs) in
early 2024. These ETPs, backed by institutions like BlackRock and
Fidelity, have attracted both retail and institutional investors, setting
records for inflows and driving up the price of Bitcoin to new highs.
Bull Run Fueled by ETFs
Crypto activity surged between late 2023 and early
2024, with the total value of crypto transactions surpassing the 2021 bull
market peak. The US Bitcoin ETF’s approval triggered significant institutional
inflows, boosting Bitcoin’s price and contributing to a global bull run.
However, adoption patterns varied across regions, with
high-income countries seeing a pullback while emerging markets experienced
strong growth.
Stablecoins also played a critical role, especially in
lower-income regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Here,
stablecoins provided a hedge against inflation and currency volatility,
becoming a lifeline for retail users looking for faster, more reliable
financial tools.
While crypto adoption soared globally, the US…
