Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are becoming part of mainstream financial conversations. But not everyone is participating equally. Ownership of digital assets like Bitcoin is concentrated among certain age, gender groups, and occupations. Understanding these demographic patterns helps explain where adoption is strong, where it's lagging, and what may come next.

This article explores why younger people, especially men, are more likely to own crypto, and how other groups—like women and older generations—are starting to close the gap. Drawing on data from both the United States and the Nordic region, we look at who holds crypto today and what that says about the future of digital finance.

Who Owns Crypto, and Why?

Cryptocurrency ownership is dominated by younger people, especially men. In the United States, the Nakamoto Project found that Bitcoin holders tend to be younger and male. This pattern is consistent across multiple studies, including Pew Research and JPMorgan, as well as globally through Triple-A and academic surveys.

Read the full report by The Nakamoto Project here

The gender imbalance within digital assets is significant. Global data from Triple-A shows that roughly 61% of crypto users are men, with the largest age group being 25–34. These numbers are mirrored in many academic studies, which support the notion that most crypto owners are in their late 30s and overwhelmingly male.

The reasons behind this trend are relatively clear. Younger people are more comfortable with digital tools as a result of higher levels of digital literacy and tend to be more willing to take financial risks. Many enter the space through mobile apps and online communities like Reddit and Discord, which also skew male and young.

In a survey cited in a post by CoinTelegraph, women reported lower confidence, fewer role models, and less trust in financial technologies as reasons for staying away. But this is slowly changing. More educational content, communities, and leadership from women in crypto are encouraging broader participation.

What About Older Generations?

Older generations, especially Baby Boomers in the U.S., are adopting crypto at a slower pace. JPMorgan reports that only about 4% of Baby Boomers have used crypto, compared to 20% of Millennials. However, Boomers hold more wealth and are more likely to make large investments once they decide to enter the space.

Data from JP Morgan Chase Institute - The Dynamics and Demographics of U.S. Household Crypto-Asset Use

In the Nordics, similar patterns appear. The most recent report by K33 and the Nordic Blockchain Association found that most crypto owners in the region are under 40 and male. However, ownership among older individuals is increasing. The 50–64 age group saw its ownership rate more than double—marking the highest relative growth of any age segment.

Source: Nordic Crypto Adoption Survey - K33

As younger generations age and accumulate wealth, their crypto holdings are likely to grow. Over the next one to two decades, they are also expected to inherit significant assets—much of which may flow into digital assets at higher rates than previous generations.

This suggests a strong wave of new demand entering the crypto space driven by demographic trends alone—on top of growing adoption from institutions, corporations, and governments.

Gender Disparities

A recent K33 report also shows a gender gap across the Nordic countries. Women make up only 23% of crypto holders overall. Norway and Iceland have the highest female participation, close to one-third. Sweden, Finland, and Denmark trail behind at around 17–22%.

Source: Nordic Crypto Adoption Survey - K33

Though the gap is still large, female participation is slowly increasing. Better outreach, financial education, and visibility of women in the space are helping shift the numbers.

Conclusion

The trends in the U.S. and Nordic countries are remarkably similar: younger men dominate crypto ownership, while older individuals and women are beginning to catch up.

Younger users are drawn to crypto because they are more comfortable with technology, more willing to take risks, and more active in online spaces where crypto is discussed. Older users and women are underrepresented but growing in number. Baby Boomers in particular are showing more interest now that the industry is more mature.

Understanding who owns crypto helps us see where the market is going. More adoption will likely come from older age groups and women as awareness grows and barriers decrease. Education and targeted outreach will play a key role in making this space more inclusive.

Viska recently sponsored a survey that measured crypto adoption in Iceland. You can view the insights here

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