United Arab Emirates Crowned Most Crypto-Obsessed Nation of the Year

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been ranked as the most crypto-obsessed country this year.

This conclusion comes from a study that assessed how cryptocurrencies are adopted and used in daily life, the level of public interest, and how accessible they are in each nation.

The rankings were determined using four main criteria. Two focused on the extent of cryptocurrency ownership and the rate of adoption growth, highlighting how embedded digital currencies are in everyday activities.

The other two measured public curiosity through online search activity and physical accessibility via the number of Bitcoin ATMs available.

Atmos CEO Nick Cooke stated that cryptocurrency adoption is not just an investment trend. In some regions, cryptocurrencies are a hedge against inflation and the instability of conventional currencies, while in other places, they represent a step towards a digital economy.

According to Cooke, accessibility is crucial in supporting the growth of digital assets in a country, in addition to the level of interest.

“When regulatory clarity, payment integration, and real-world utility align, crypto moves from speculation to a fundamental part of everyday transactions.” Cooke said in a press release received by Tempo on Monday, April 7, 2025.

List of Countries Most Obsessed with Cryptocurrencies

In the Atmos report, the UAE recorded the world's highest score, at 98.4. The country is deemed to have the highest cryptocurrency ownership rate in the world, at 25.3 percent of the total population.

Its adoption growth is also very high, reaching 210 percent, despite limited physical infrastructure with only one Bitcoin ATM available.

Singapore ranked second with a score of 97.5. Nearly a quarter of its population owns cryptocurrencies, with an adoption growth of 150 percent.

Although it does not have a single Bitcoin ATM, the number of cryptocurrency-related searches remains high, reaching 160 thousand per month.

Meanwhile, the United States ranked third with a score of 85.4. Its cryptocurrency ownership rate reached 15.5 percent. However, the US excels in infrastructure with nearly 30 thousand Bitcoin ATMs spread across the country.

The United States also recorded the highest cryptocurrency search volume globally, with over 4.2 million searches per month.

Canada followed in fourth place with a score of 72. The country recorded the highest adoption growth at 225 percent, with 10.1 percent of its population holding cryptocurrencies. Canada also has the second largest Bitcoin ATM network in the world, with 3,561 units.

Turkey ranked fifth with a score of 67.8. Its cryptocurrency ownership rate reached 19.3 percent, with a monthly search volume of 802 thousand.

Although its adoption growth is not as high as those in higher-ranked countries, the role of cryptocurrencies is becoming increasingly important amid the economic instability in the country.

Germany ranked sixth with a score of 61 and matched Canada’s adoption growth rate of 225%, the highest reported this year. Monthly crypto searches in Germany exceed one million, surpassing several other countries with larger ownership rates.

With 176 Bitcoin ATMs, Germany continues to integrate digital currencies into its financial system.

Switzerland, Australia, Argentina, and South Korea completed the top ten list. Switzerland is known for its "Crypto Valley" region and has moderate ATM coverage alongside steady adoption. Australia has 1,489 Bitcoin ATMs.

In Argentina, where economic challenges persist, 18.9% of the population owns cryptocurrencies. South Korea, ranking tenth, has an adoption growth of 167% and an ownership rate of 13.6%, though the country has only two Bitcoin ATMs.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, cryptocurrency adoption has shown a consistent upward trend over the past five years. Data from Atmos shows ownership rates at 11% in 2019, rising to 13% in 2020, dipping slightly to 12% in 2021, then jumping to 19% in 2022 and further increasing to 29% in 2023.

This marks an overall growth of 163.64% from 2019 to 2023. Although 2024 data has not yet been released, the pattern suggests a growing public interest and strong potential for continued adoption of digital assets in Indonesia.

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