Crypto Adoption Shifts to Daily Spending 35% of Users Prefer Practical Use

A recent study by Bitget has revealed a significant shift in crypto adoption trends, moving away from speculation and towards practical spending. The study, based on an online survey of 4,599 participants from the Bitget Wallet community, found that over 35% of respondents use cryptocurrency for daily transactions, gaming, and travel. This data highlights a global trend where digital assets are increasingly being integrated into everyday expenditures.

The study analyzed respondents' digital asset payment preferences across various categories, identifying global patterns, generational behaviors, and regional differences. Worldwide, the top use cases for cryptocurrency are gaming at 36%, daily purchases at 35%, and travel bookings at 35%. Additionally, 32% of participants use digital assets for digital products and gifting, while 30% allocate them for education. Other use cases include luxury goods, utility bills, subscriptions, real estate, car leases or purchases, and healthcare services. Overall, people prefer incorporating digital assets in their daily spending (35%) over online shopping (31%), indicating a growing integration of virtual currencies into practical and everyday expenditures.

Regionally, East Asia showed the highest interest in digital products and daily purchases, each accounting for 41%. Southeast Asia dominated in gaming (41%) and gifting (36%), driven by a young, mobile-first population and the widespread adoption of play-to-earn (P2E) models. The Middle East users showed interest in gaming (41%), luxury goods (31%), and car purchases (29%), suggesting cryptocurrency is used for high-value spending in regions with strong purchasing power and regulatory support. Africa ranks highest for education payments, reaching 38%, driven by the continent’s demand for cross-border access to learning and the need to overcome gaps in traditional banking infrastructure. In Latin America, 38% of people utilize crypto for digital product purchases and 35% for online shopping. Additionally, 41% of users in the region reported having wallets for on-chain yield generation to preserve and grow value amid weakening fiat currencies. Western and Eastern Europe both rank top in travel bookings at 37%, with the latter also leading in real estate payments (29%). North America and Oceania show balanced use, with gaming and daily spending at 33%.

The survey also collected data on the spending habits of different generations. About 39% of Gen Z prefer digital assets for gaming, 35% for gifting, and 29% for entertainment subscriptions. This group values fast, user-friendly, and social payment experiences. Bitget revealed that 36% of Millennials preferred using on-chain funds to settle travel costs, with 35% favoring it for gaming and digital products. This group has largely adopted virtual currencies for both convenience and value, especially in cross-border payments and mobile services. Gen X used crypto the most in travel bookings, with about 40% reportedly doing it. Some 36% used it for digital product purchases and online shopping. They also use such assets for utility bills (30%) and real estate (30%). This generation focuses more on secure and practical spending, often for larger or essential purchases.

The study underscores the potential of cryptocurrency to revolutionize the way we conduct transactions in various sectors. The convenience and security of digital currencies make them an attractive option for businesses and consumers alike, and the growing acceptance of cryptocurrency as a medium of exchange is likely to drive further adoption in the coming years. As more businesses and consumers embrace digital currencies, the potential for cryptocurrency to transform the way we conduct transactions in various sectors is significant. This shift is driven by the convenience and security that cryptocurrencies offer, as well as the growing acceptance of digital payments by businesses and consumers alike. The integration of cryptocurrency in gaming allows players to own and trade digital assets securely, adding a new dimension to the gaming experience. In the travel sector, cryptocurrency is also gaining traction as a means of payment for travel-related services, driven by the convenience and security of cryptocurrency transactions, as well as the growing acceptance of digital payments by travel providers.