Key points:
✊The process of legalizing cryptocurrencies is actively advancing worldwide.
✊The USA, Argentina, and El Salvador are among the leading countries in cryptocurrency integration. The UAE, Switzerland, Singapore, and Nigeria are joining the global cryptocurrency race.
✊Bitcoin has already become a popular payment method in Japan, EU countries, and other points of cryptocurrency tourism.
✊Global cryptocurrency adoption is pushing governments to develop crypto ecosystems within their countries and enact laws to regulate the use of Bitcoin.
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 In other countries, the integration of BTC is still limited due to outdated technology, regulatory systems, or unstable economies.
Who is leading the transition to the age of Bitcoin, and who is still lagging behind? We will analyze the experiences of leading countries that have adopted Bitcoin and those that have not, as well as briefly outline the changing regulatory landscape in the world.
The history of Bitcoin perception
The legalization of cryptocurrencies has transformed Bitcoin from a niche asset into a practical financial instrument. Millions of people across various continents change 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.
For the first time, cryptocurrency was 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, more than 500 million users already own Bitcoin.
Country ranking for Bitcoin adoption
As of early 2025, the countries most actively integrating Bitcoin include:
United States
The development of cryptocurrency regulation and the growing interest in regional trends have made America a major driver of cryptocurrency regulations. As of January 2025, 28% of U.S. citizens own cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin being the most popular choice. More than 60% of them view this investment as an investment, while over 39% use cryptocurrency to pay for goods and services.
Argentina
In 2022, more than 2.5 million people, 5.6% of the total population of Argentina, owned cryptocurrency. As financial instability increases, so does the public's trust in crypto ecosystems as decentralized alternatives.
El Salvador
El Salvador is the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender in 2021. By 2024, the country had 688 Bitcoins in reserve worth approximately $574 million. Government wallet applications and Bitcoin mining using volcanic energy make this country a model for cryptocurrency adoption.
United Kingdom
A powerful 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 gave the government the ability to identify 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, earning Bitcoin rewards 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.
Nigeria
Relatively young state with insufficient traditional banking infrastructure, Nigeria is experiencing a boom in P2P trading and regulatory shifts for wider Bitcoin adoption. The cryptocurrency market in Nigeria is projected to reach $1.6 billion in revenue by 2025.
Vietnam
In 2024, more than 17 million people in this country owned crypto assets. According to the Cryptocurrency Adoption Index, in October 2021, Vietnam outpaced most countries in total P2P transaction value and 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, through the 'Virtual Assets Law.' A bill is currently 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 by rekindling interest in blockchain technology. Currently, China holds a massive reserve of BTC, with 194,000 BTC tokens worth over $416 billion. It is the second-largest holder of BTC after the United States.
India
Despite an unstable regulatory policy and high taxes on cryptocurrency income, more than 93.5 million people in India own Bitcoin. A large population, a boom in digital payments, and increased awareness of Bitcoin as an asset are helping crypto gain momentum in India, especially among Generation Z and millennials.
Ukraine
According to Chainalysis, as of September 2024, we ranked sixth in the global cryptocurrency adoption index, demonstrating high activity in transactions, use of DeFi services, and participation of retail users. Additionally, Ukraine has significant state reserves of Bitcoins. As of early 2025, the government owns over 46,000 BTC, primarily acquired through public donations during the large-scale war.
In summary, it can be argued that international crypto statistics are changing, and year by year, new countries emerge on the market that also become contenders for crypto leadership.
World leaders adopting Bitcoin
Governments of some states actively promote the growth of Bitcoin through innovative clusters and favorable legislation rather than simply legalizing it. That is why they are included in this crypto rating 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 regulation: the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Their joint goal is to create unified oversight and control mechanisms for the movement of cryptocurrency 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, a regulatory framework for crypto firms known as 'Digital Payment Token (DPT) providers' is in place in this country.
Nigeria:
Nigeria has changed course, adopting a new national policy for blockchain implementation under President Bola Tinubu. In response to the rise in cryptocurrency wallet usage, the government is increasingly engaging with the cryptocurrency industry.
Where can you currently spend Bitcoin?
When we talk about the use of BTC, 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 method of payment online and offline in various sectors around the world:
USA:
Shopify and PayPal allow hundreds of stores to accept cryptocurrency payments, while Starbucks accepts Bitcoin through apps like Bakkt and Fold. BitPay now processes 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, the Central African Republic (CAR) has designated Bitcoin as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar. Thus, foreign investors can acquire CAR citizenship for cryptocurrency worth around $60,000, with the equivalent of Sango coins held as collateral for five years.
EU member countries:
the list of services and goods that can be paid for with Bitcoin in these countries is growing every day. Among the most recognizable names are Bitrefill, Starbucks, Takeaway.com, Travala, Airbaltic, Ferrari, Tesloop, and others.
Other points for cryptocurrency tourism: Many hotels, spas, and travel companies in Phuket and Chiang Mai accept Bitcoin through websites like CoinMap and Travala.
Global regulatory landscape
Although cryptocurrency has existed since 2009, governments around the world are still working on how to regulate its use. Consumers and businesses need to be protected from fraudulent activities, and preventive measures must be implemented to combat the illegal use of cryptocurrencies.
Currently, there are several levels of the legal status of 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 (complete or partial ban on use)
Many countries are moving forward rapidly, such as the UAE, Switzerland, El Salvador, and Singapore. Others are just beginning this path, building crypto-friendly legislation (the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), tax restrictions in China and India). However, some states are erecting barriers and prohibiting the use of BTC at the national 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 the tokenization of real assets.
International organizations such as the G20, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and others are also 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, this is not about CBDCs fighting 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 oversight.
Thus, the crypto industry in 2025 will reflect a new era of mass adoption, regulatory clarity, and financial integration, increasing the number of states with high cryptocurrency acceptance.
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