The total number of digital asset holders in 2025 is estimated at 716 million, a 16% increase compared to 2024. Meanwhile, the number of active crypto users grew by roughly 10 million over the same period.
According to a16z crypto’s analytical report, the total number of digital asset owners increased by 16% YoY, reaching approximately 716 million people as of September 2025. The report also revealed that active crypto users make up only a small portion of this figure, between 40 and 70 million people, with their number rising by about 10 million in a year.
The report noted that only a small share of crypto holders actively interact with blockchains. Despite the overall growth in ownership, the number of monthly active addresses dropped by 18% compared to 2024, totaling just 181 million. Analysts at a16z crypto concluded that these figures indicate a growing trend — users increasingly view cryptocurrencies as a store of value rather than a tool for daily transactions.
The report states that the rise in crypto ownership reflects the global spread of digital currencies, particularly in developing countries such as Argentina, Colombia, India, and Nigeria, where cryptocurrency serves as an alternative to unstable national currencies. At the same time, the growing involvement of institutional players, infrastructure improvements, and clearer regulations are setting the stage for a new wave of adoption.
Earlier forecasts predicted that by 2025, around 8% of the global population would use cryptocurrencies, and this proved accurate. Based on a16z crypto’s data, that figure now stands at approximately 8.7%.
