UK crypto ownership falls in 2025 as investors concentrate on Bitcoin and Ether
Cryptocurrency ownership among UK adults fell in 2025, but new data suggest the market is becoming increasingly concentrated around Bitcoin and Ether rather than disappearing altogether.
Survey findings published by the Financial Conduct Authority show that fewer people now hold digital assets, even as those who remain invested are committing larger sums and focusing on the most established cryptocurrencies.
The results indicate a shift in how cryptocurrency is used and perceived in Britain, with casual participation giving way to more deliberate, higher-value exposure.
The data were released alongside new regulatory consultations, placing investor behaviour and policy development on parallel tracks.
UK crypto ownership trends
The FCA found that 8% of UK adults owned cryptocurrency in 2025, down from 12% a year earlier.
Despite the decline, ownership levels remain well above earlier benchmarks, having doubled from the 4% recorded in 2021.
The figures are based on a YouGov survey of 2,353 adults, conducted between August 5 and September 2, and offer one of the most comprehensive snapshots of retail crypto participation in the UK.
Clear demographic differences continue to shape the market. Men were more likely to report owning crypto, with an ownership rate of 11%, compared with women.
Age was also a key factor, with people aged 18 to 34 emerging as the most active group.
Within this cohort, 15% said they held digital assets, reinforcing the concentration of crypto use among younger adults.
Bigger holdings, fewer participants
While overall participation declined, the survey highlighted a notable change in portfolio sizes among existing holders.
Smaller holdings appear to be less common, replaced by larger allocations among a narrower group of investors.
According to the FCA data, 21% of respondents reported crypto holdings valued between £1,001 and £5,000. A further 11% said their portfolios were worth between £5,001 and £10,000.
The regulator noted that individuals involved in more advanced activities, such as crypto lending and borrowing, tend to show higher levels of understanding and risk tolerance.
These users were described as being more aware of regulatory warnings than the average crypto holder, suggesting a growing divide between occasional participants and more experienced market users.
Bitcoin and Ether dominate portfolios
The composition of UK crypto portfolios remains heavily skewed toward the largest and most established assets.
Among respondents who confirmed ownership, approximately 57% reported holding bitcoin, while 43% reported holding ether. In contrast, ownership of alternative cryptocurrencies was significantly lower.
This pattern indicates that investors who continue to participate in the market are prioritising assets with greater liquidity, longer track records, and broader market recognition.
Rather than spreading capital across a wide range of tokens, portfolios appear increasingly focused on Bitcoin and Ether as core holdings.
Regulation moves alongside behaviour
The FCA released the survey results on the same day it launched three consultations covering crypto exchanges, staking, lending, and decentralised finance.
These consultations form part of the UK government’s wider effort to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto sector.
The regulator has invited feedback from industry participants and other stakeholders, with responses due by February.
The timing suggests that regulatory development is accelerating as the market becomes more concentrated and potentially more sophisticated, reflecting changing patterns of crypto use across Britain.
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