Crypto Fever: The 10 Nations Leading the Digital Currency Boom
Nearly a quarter of Singapore’s population now owns digital assets, positioning the city-state ahead of its rivals in a rapidly evolving global race for cryptocurrency adoption.
Singapore ranks as the world’s most crypto-obsessed country in 2025, according to research by ApeX Protocol. Almost 25 percent of its residents hold cryptocurrency, up from just 11 percent in 2021.
The city-state also leads in search interest, with more than 2,500 crypto-related queries per 100,000 people. Together, these factors earned Singapore a perfect score of 100 in the study.
While Singapore does not operate cryptocurrency ATMs, its strong retail adoption and online engagement highlight how digital currencies are becoming embedded in everyday financial life.
UAE Close Behind
The United Arab Emirates follows in second place with a score of 99.7. The Gulf nation boasts the world’s highest crypto ownership rate at 25.3 percent and an adoption growth rate of 210 percent. At the peak of the 2022 boom, over a third of the UAE’s population reported owning digital assets.
Search activity also remains strong, with 1,664 crypto-related queries per 100,000 people, cementing the UAE’s reputation as one of the most dynamic digital-asset hubs globally.
U.S. Rides ATM Network
The United States ranks third with a score of 98.5, thanks largely to its crypto infrastructure. The country has installed over 30,000 ATMs – ten times more than any other country on the list – giving it unmatched accessibility for retail investors.
Ownership stands at 15.5 percent of the population, while adoption has surged 220 percent since 2019, underscoring the scale of mainstream interest.
Canada and Turkey Round Out Top Five
Canada claims fourth place with a score of 64.7. The country leads globally in adoption growth, with a 225 percent increase since 2019, and now counts more than 10 percent of its citizens as crypto holders. With 3,600 ATMs, Canada also has the second-largest ATM network worldwide.
Turkey ranks fifth at 57.6, powered by high ownership rates – nearly one in five Turks hold digital assets – and significant search activity, averaging 959 queries per 100,000 people each month.
European Leaders: Germany and Switzerland
Germany comes sixth with a score of 48.4, matching Canada’s 225 percent adoption growth rate. Crypto ownership has risen from 10 percent in 2020 to over 32 percent today, paired with more than 1,100 searches per 100,000 people.
Neighbouring Switzerland follows in seventh place with a score of 46.2. Long known for its «Crypto Valley» ecosystem, Switzerland combines an 11.5 percent ownership rate with one of the world’s highest search volumes – more than 2,100 per 100,000 residents.
Australia, Argentina, and Indonesia Complete the Top Ten
Australia ranks eighth with a score of 45.1, bolstered by the third-largest ATM network globally at 1,900 machines. Ownership stands at 9.6 percent, with adoption growing by nearly 130 percent.
Argentina follows in ninth place with 19 percent of its population holding crypto. Despite inflationary pressures, Argentines continue to see digital assets as a hedge, recording a score of 37.6.
Indonesia completes the top ten with a score of 37.1, reflecting its 163 percent growth rate and ownership levels of nearly 14 percent, though online search interest remains relatively low.
A Global Shift in Finance
Commenting on the findings, an ApeX Protocol spokesperson said: «Crypto is no longer on the fringe; it’s becoming part of how countries define their financial future. From cultural curiosity to institutional momentum, the global landscape is shifting fast.»
The results highlight a new phase for cryptocurrency – from speculative asset to mainstream financial tool – with adoption rates accelerating across continents and reshaping the way citizens interact with money.
