Bitcoin has been in existence since 2009, and since then, it has become one of the most popular digital currencies in the world. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that uses cryptography to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. It operates on a peer-to-peer network, meaning that there is no central authority controlling it. In the UK, many people have invested in Bitcoin, but the exact number of people who own Bitcoin in the UK is not known.
According to a survey conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2019, around 3.86% of adults in the UK own Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. This translates to approximately 1.9 million people. The survey also revealed that men were more likely to own cryptocurrencies than women, with 5.35% of men owning cryptocurrencies compared to 1.75% of women.
The FCA survey also found that the age group most likely to own cryptocurrencies in the UK was the 35-44 age group, with 5.95% of people in this age group owning cryptocurrencies. This was followed by the 25-34 age group, with 5.04% of people owning cryptocurrencies.
The survey also revealed that the most popular cryptocurrency in the UK was Bitcoin, with 75% of cryptocurrency owners in the UK holding Bitcoin. This was followed by Ethereum, which was held by 36% of cryptocurrency owners in the UK.
The UK has a well-established cryptocurrency market, with several cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the country. The most popular cryptocurrency exchange in the UK is Coinbase, which has over 1 million users in the country. Other popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the UK include Binance, Bitstamp, and Kraken.
The UK government has also taken steps to regulate the cryptocurrency market in the country. In 2018, the UK government announced that it would regulate cryptocurrencies in the same way as fiat currencies. This means that cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the UK are required to comply with anti-money laundering regulations and other financial regulations.
In conclusion, around 1.9 million people in the UK own Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, according to a survey conducted by the FCA in 2019. The most popular cryptocurrency in the UK is Bitcoin, and the age group most likely to own cryptocurrencies in the UK is the 35-44 age group. The UK has a well-established cryptocurrency market, with several cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the country, and the UK government has taken steps to regulate the cryptocurrency market.