Women Drive 80% Crypto Adoption Growth in India, Finland, Russia

CrossFi's 2025 survey on cryptocurrency and Web3 banking has provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital assets. The survey, which gathered data from 5,000 users across India, Finland, and Russia, highlights a significant shift in the demographic of crypto users. Women have emerged as the primary drivers of crypto adoption, with 80% of users now belonging to the female demographic. This shift is attributed to financial inclusion initiatives in India, the innovative tech environment in Finland, and economic challenges in Russia.

The survey also reveals that the majority of crypto users are between 28 and 43 years old, with a monthly income ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. This indicates that crypto acceptance is moving beyond the wealthy and is becoming a popular investment option for the middle class. Users are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency to protect against inflation and build financial security for the future.

Contrary to the speculative nature often associated with cryptocurrency, the survey found that most users are adopting a long-term investment perspective. They are using digital assets to build holdings that will increase in value over time, rather than engaging in daily trading activities or following meme-coin trends. This trend is supported by Fidelity’s 2024 report, which confirms that institutional investors are also adopting a holding strategy with crypto.

Crypto users are conducting their activities, such as Binance exchange purchases, balance checks, and stake management, two or fewer times each week. This behavior suggests that cryptocurrency is developing into a broad financial tool, with users adopting long-term growth strategies without worrying about short-term price changes.

Despite the growing popularity of crypto, the survey identified several obstacles to its adoption. High transaction fees remain a significant issue, with Ethereum users expressing frustration over network fees exceeding $10 to $20. This is a barrier for users earning less than $3,000 per month. However, Layer 2 solutions like Polygon and Arbitrum, as well as newer platforms like Solana and Avalanche, are helping to reduce these costs.

The Web3 banking sphere also faces challenges, with users encountering obstacles such as frozen accounts and regulatory issues on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. The practical implementation of identity checks and regulatory necessities in Web3 banking systems has disappointed users, as it opposes the decentralized design philosophy that Web3 banking promises.

The 2025 CrossFi survey indicates that Web3 banking and crypto banking systems are at a critical point in their evolution. With more middle-class individuals and women joining the digital asset movement, crypto is becoming a growing financial tool for broader population segments. However, for crypto to reach its full potential, issues related to security, high fees, and regulatory uncertainty must be addressed. By 2025, technological advancements, improved regulations, and enhanced user experience integration could resolve these challenges, making crypto an ordinary part of daily life.