Current news regarding Bitcoin perception
As of April 2025, the popularity of Bitcoin continues to grow, albeit unevenly. In some countries, Bitcoin is becoming a popular asset that helps protect against inflation and even serves as a daily payment method. In other countries, the integration of BTC is still limited due to outdated technologies, regulatory systems, or unstable economies.
Who is at the forefront of the transition to the era of Bitcoin, and who is still lagging behind? We will analyze the experience of leading countries that have adopted Bitcoin and those that have not, as well as briefly outline the evolving regulatory landscape worldwide.
History of Bitcoin perception
The legalization of cryptocurrencies has transformed Bitcoin from a niche asset to a practical financial instrument. Millions of people across different continents are changing the global acceptance of cryptocurrencies every day.
Despite Bitcoin being called 'new', it has existed since 2009, and the technology it is based on has even older roots. A document titled 'A Peer to Peer Electronic Cash System' was uploaded to the cryptographers' mailing list in 2008. This was done by Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity remains unknown.
Cryptocurrency was first sold in 2010, exchanging 10,000 cryptocurrencies for two pizzas. At today’s rate, these Bitcoins would be worth nearly 100 million dollars.
As of January 2025, over 500 million users already own Bitcoin.
Country ranking for Bitcoin adoption
As of early 2025, the countries leading in Bitcoin integration are:
United States
The development of cryptocurrency regulation and the growing interest in regional trends have made America the main driver of cryptocurrency regulations. As of January 2025, 28% of US citizens own cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin being the most popular choice. Over 60% of them view this investment as such. More than 39% use cryptocurrency to pay for goods and services.
Argentina
In 2022, over 2.5 million people, 5.6% of Argentina's total population, owned cryptocurrency. With rising financial instability, public trust in crypto ecosystems as decentralized alternatives is increasing.
El Salvador
El Salvador was the first country to make Bitcoin a legal tender in 2021. By 2024, the country held 688 Bitcoins in reserve worth approximately 574 million dollars. Government wallet apps and Bitcoin mining using volcanic energy make this country a model for cryptocurrency adoption.
United Kingdom
A strong financial infrastructure has inspired over 7 million people to invest in Bitcoin. In 2023, the UK updated its Financial Services and Markets Act to regulate digital assets. The law enabled the government to define activities related to crypto assets and regulate them.
Bhutan
Bhutan is betting on environmentally friendly Bitcoin mining. Local hydroelectric plants power supercomputers that solve complex tasks, receiving Bitcoin as a reward that can be added to the blockchain. According to blockchain intelligence firm Arkham, as of April 9, Bhutan's Bitcoin funds are worth over 600 million dollars.
Nigeria
Being a relatively young state with insufficient traditional banking infrastructure, Nigeria is experiencing a boom in P2P trading and regulatory shifts for broader Bitcoin adoption. The cryptocurrency market in Nigeria is projected to reach a revenue of $1.6 billion by 2025.
Vietnam
More than 17 million people in this country owned crypto assets in 2024. According to the Cryptocurrency Adoption Index, in October 2021, Vietnam surpassed most countries in terms of the total value of P2P transactions as well as the number of payments made by individuals.
Brazil
Given inflationary issues and the active use of new technologies, Brazil adopted Bitcoin as an investment and payment instrument on December 21, 2022, under the 'Virtual Assets Law'. Currently, a bill is being discussed that would allow Brazilian workers to receive up to 50% of their salary and benefits in digital assets.
China
China is working on regulation through a renewed interest in blockchain technologies. Currently, China holds a massive reserve of 194,000 BTC tokens worth over 416 billion dollars. This makes it the second-largest holder of BTC after the United States.
India
Despite an unstable regulatory policy and high taxes on cryptocurrency income, over 93.5 million people in India own Bitcoin. A large population, a boom in digital payments, and growing awareness of Bitcoin as an asset help cryptocurrency gain momentum in India, especially among Generation Z and millennials.
Ukraine
According to Chainalysis, as of September 2024, we ranked sixth in the global adoption of crypto assets, demonstrating high activity in transactions, the use of DeFi services, and participation by retail users. Additionally, Ukraine has significant state reserves of Bitcoins. As of early 2025, the government holds over 46,000 BTC, primarily obtained through public donations during the large-scale war.
In summary, international crypto statistics are changing, and year by year new countries are entering the market, becoming contenders for crypto leadership.
World leaders accepting Bitcoin
Governments of some countries are actively promoting the growth of Bitcoin through innovative clusters and favorable legislation, rather than merely legalizing it. That is why they are included in this crypto ranking of countries that accept Bitcoin:
El Salvador: In 2021, El Salvador, under President Nayib Bukele, became the first country with a 'BTC-first' policy to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.
United Arab Emirates: The UAE has created two important regulatory bodies for cryptocurrency: the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Their joint goal is to create unified mechanisms for oversight and control of cryptocurrency movement in the country, as well as the distribution of fees, commissions, and fines.
Singapore: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has taken a proactive regulatory stance, approving the activities of 19 cryptocurrency service providers as of January 2024. Additionally, this country has a regulatory system for crypto firms known as 'Digital Payment Token (DPT) providers'.
Nigeria: Nigeria has shifted course by adopting a new national policy for blockchain implementation under President Bola Tinubu. In response to the growing use of crypto wallets, the government is increasingly engaging with the cryptocurrency industry.
Where can Bitcoin be spent currently?
When we talk about Bitcoin usage, we often mean ownership. However, the future of cryptocurrency in the world is determined by the ability to use it for purchases and transactions. Bitcoin has already become a popular payment method online and offline across various sectors worldwide:
USA: Shopify and PayPal allow hundreds of stores to accept cryptocurrency payments, and Starbucks accepts Bitcoin through apps like Bakkt and Fold. BitPay now accepts payments for companies like Microsoft and AMC Theatres, while large retailers like Overstock and Newegg have long supported Bitcoin.
Central African Republic (CAR): Like El Salvador, CAR has recognized Bitcoin as legal tender alongside the US dollar. Thus, foreign investors can acquire CAR citizenship for cryptocurrency worth around 60,000 USD, with the equivalent of Sango coins held as collateral for five years.
EU member states: The list of services and goods that can be paid for with Bitcoin in these countries is increasing every day. Among the most recognizable names are Bitrefill, Starbucks, Takeaway.com, Travala, Airbaltic, Ferrari, Tesloop, and others.
Other spots for cryptocurrency tourism: Many hotels, spas, and travel companies in Phuket and Chiang Mai accept Bitcoin through sites like CoinMap and Travala.
Global regulatory landscape
Although cryptocurrency has existed since 2009, governments worldwide are still working on how to regulate its use. Consumers and businesses must be protected from fraudulent activities, and preventive measures need to be implemented to combat the illegal use of cryptocurrencies.
Currently, there are several levels of legal status for Bitcoin around the world:
Legal tender (Bitcoin is officially recognized as a means of exchange)
Permissive (use is legal, with minimal or no restrictions)
Limited (some legal restrictions on the use of Bitcoin)
Controversial (interpretation of old laws, but Bitcoin is not explicitly prohibited)
Prohibited (full or partial prohibition on use)
Many countries are moving forward quickly, such as the UAE, Switzerland, El Salvador, and Singapore. Others are just starting this journey, building cryptocurrency-friendly legislation (the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) in the EU, tax restrictions in China and India). Some states, however, are erecting barriers and banning the use of BTC at the state level (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt).
Future forecasts
The year 2025 will bring even more global events that will matter for crypto regulation. In August 2024, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) launched the regulatory Project Ensemble, which aims to allow institutions to experiment with tokenizing real assets.
International organizations such as G20, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and others are expected to take more coordinated actions aimed at combating the epidemic of online fraud.
The rapid interest in CBDCs will also impact the regulation of cryptocurrency transactions. However, it is not about CBDCs competing against BTC, as CBDCs aim to regulate and control financial transactions, while the appeal of cryptocurrencies often lies in their decentralization and lack of regulatory authority.
Therefore, the crypto industry in 2025 will reflect a new era of mass adoption, regulatory clarity, and financial integration, multiplying the number of states with a high perception of cryptocurrencies.