Half of richer, online South Africans want to buy cryptocurrencies here is what is holding them back (businessinsider.co.za)

Half of richer, online South Africans want to buy cryptocurrencies – here’s what’s holding them back
A study into cryptocurrency adoption in SA found roughly three in four people who are online, and on the richer end of spectrum, are familiar with digital currencies.Bitcoin remains the best known and most popular, with the likes of ripple lagging behind. Half of respondents want to buy digital currencies but are held back by trust and security concerns.
study into opinions and awareness of cryptocurrencies in South Africa and nine other countries by Kantar TNS on behalf of Luno has found considerable local interest in digital money – in a very specific group.

The survey found that 69% of the respondents, or roughly three in four people, are familiar with cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoin, and about half want to buy some form of digital money.But the study participants were not exactly average South Africans; 85% of the 1,000 locals polled were above the middle class line.


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The popularity of Bitcoin across different countries including South Africa. (Graph: Luno)
What is Bitcoin? Everything you need to know about the cryptocurrencyA motion graphics explainer of what the payment system Bitcoin is, and how it can be used.

The high number of South Africans who at least claim to know about digital currencies puts SA on par with other emerging markets like Indonesia and Malaysia.


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Familiarity vs Ownership (Left to Right: Lithuania, SA, Indonesia, Romania, Malaysia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands & France). (Graph: Luno)290 out of the 1,000 surveyed South Africans said they already own cryptocurrency – a level considerably above ownership levels below 20% found in countries like Lithuania, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, France, and Romania.

Out of the remaining 710 local respondents who said they don't own any digital currency, 530 showed interest in one day buying it, with only 18% not keen on ever owning any.

Luno's country manager for SA, Marius Reitz, tells Business Insider South Africa there were three elements holding people back from buying bitcoin or its peers:

Trust and security, with price volatility and reports of online scams keeping people wary.Their social circle's opinion, with friends and family warning against crypto cash.Consumer education, as many people say they lack the knowledge that would make them comfortable with digital cash usage.
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    Francisco Gimeno - BC Analyst This study can be translated globally and really appeals to common sense. Crypto is new and exciting for many to invest, but it continues to be too volatile, unregulated and unfriendly for many users. Crypto development will bring normalcy and hopefully mass use in the future.