By Kieran Buckley, Founder of My Crypto Guide

What Percentage of Aussies Own Crypto?

If it feels like everyone you know is either buying crypto, talking about it, or quietly ignoring it — you’re not imagining things. A decent chunk of Australians have already dipped a toe in, which is why this guide forms part of our Australia Crypto Guides series, looking at how widespread crypto ownership really is across the country.

So… what’s the actual number?

The clearest answer comes from the Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index (IRCI) 2025. It found that about 31% of Australians have owned crypto at some point.

The wording “have owned crypto” matters. Some people read that and assume it means 31% currently hold crypto right now, but most surveys are measuring whether someone has ever owned crypto — even if they bought a small amount once, then sold later. That’s still a big deal, because it tells us crypto has moved well beyond a tiny niche.

Another reason the number feels slippery is that “crypto ownership” can include a few different behaviours. Some Aussies buy and hold for years, some dabble during hype cycles, and others only gain exposure indirectly (for example via listed products or managed options). So when you see a headline stat, it helps to treat it as a directional signal rather than a perfect headcount.

The practical takeaway: whether it’s 20%, 25% or 31%, crypto ownership in Australia is no longer rare. If you’re learning this stuff now, you’re not “late” — you’re joining a group that’s grown steadily and is still evolving.

What other Aussie surveys show

A 2024 Easy Crypto × Protocol Theory survey found that around 1 in 5 Australians have owned crypto, while nearly half said they’d consider buying in the next year.

That sounds lower than the 31% figure — but it’s not necessarily a contradiction. Different surveys use different questions, timeframes, and sample groups. Some ask “do you own crypto right now?”, others ask “have you ever owned crypto?”, and some include people who hold exposure via other products.

The really interesting part is the “would consider buying” group. That’s the quiet majority who are curious, but cautious — often waiting for clearer rules, better education, or a safer on-ramp. In Australia, that cautious attitude is pretty normal: most people don’t like feeling rushed into money decisions, especially when scams and hype are in the mix.

It also lines up with what you see in real life: plenty of Aussies have heard of Bitcoin, a smaller chunk have tried crypto, and an even smaller chunk have done the unsexy part — learning wallets, security basics, and how to avoid dumb mistakes. That “unsexy part” is where long-term results usually come from.

A quick word on safety

As crypto becomes more common, scams do too. Slow down, double-check links, and don’t trust urgency.

The most common way Australians lose crypto isn’t usually some Hollywood-style “hack” — it’s simple social engineering: fake support messages, dodgy links, impersonation accounts, and “limited time” offers designed to rush you. If you feel pressured, that’s the red flag.

A good default rule is: assume every DM is a scam until proven otherwise. Real platforms don’t need to chase you in private messages, and legit opportunities don’t rely on panic. If you take nothing else from this post, take this: calm beats urgency, every time.