Crypto Investors Outnumber Stock Investors by 2.3 Times, Research Shows

Almost one in five Brazilians has or has had cryptocurrencies, a population larger than that of investors in stocks, gold, or dollars. This is shown by the 2nd National Cryptocurrency Survey, conducted by Datafolha in partnership with Paradigma and released this Tuesday (18).

According to the survey, 17.2% of the population over 16 years old has or has had cryptocurrencies, equivalent to 29 million people. This percentage is 2.3 times greater than that of Brazilians who have ever had stocks in the stock market, which stands at 7.4%.

The survey interviewed 2,004 people in person across 137 municipalities in all regions, between May 11 and 14, 2026. The margin of error is two percentage points, plus or minus, with a confidence level of 95%, and the universe considered is 168.9 million Brazilians over 16 years old. The baseline for comparison is the first edition of the survey, conducted between December 9 and 11, 2024, with 2,007 respondents in 113 municipalities.

In the list of where Brazilians have invested money, crypto ranks fifth, behind savings (57.1%), real estate (34.0%), cash kept at home (30.5%), and investment funds (26.1%). The digital asset surpasses public bonds and CDB (15.1%), dollars or other currencies (14.0%), gold (9.8%), and stocks. Still, 3.3 times more Brazilians have used savings than crypto.

The research also indicates movement in the investor base since the first edition, with 8 million new investors in investment funds. During the same period, the survey identifies 7 million fewer people among those who say they have or have had savings, which the research classifies as the highest level of abandonment among the measured products.

Knowledge about the topic has advanced more broadly. Today, 66.4% of Brazilians say they know about cryptocurrencies, an increase of 10.1 percentage points compared to the first edition, representing 17 million people who have come to understand the subject. Bitcoin (BTC) is the most recognized currency, mentioned by 60.7% of the total, followed by Ethereum (ETH) at 11.1%, and Drex, the Central Bank's digital currency project, at 10.3%.

Among those who have invested in crypto, 83% used their bank's app, ahead of personal wallets (26%), specialized crypto brokers (20%), and funds or ETFs (18%). The question allowed for multiple responses. In practice, 4.2 times more Brazilians had crypto in the bank than on an exchange.

Self-custody, where the investor keeps their own keys, reaches 4% of the population, almost double the 2.2% recorded in the first edition, equivalent to 6.75 million people. This behavior is concentrated in the 25 to 34 age group, where it reaches 8.3%, compared to 0.3% among people aged 60 or older.

Income data contradict the notion that the market is restricted to high-income investors. Among those who have invested in crypto, 77.6% earn up to three minimum wages, and 89.4% earn up to five. The lower income brackets make up the majority of the group, with 31.6% earning up to one minimum wage and another 31.9% between one and two.

By education level, the greatest increase in knowledge came from the base. Among Brazilians with only elementary education, the percentage that knows about cryptocurrencies rose from 25.9% to 38.0%, an increase of 12.1 percentage points. In high school, the rate increased from 65.4% to 76.0%, and in higher education, from 84.1% to 89.7%.

The gender breakdown remains one of the most unequal in the survey. While 23.6% of men have invested in crypto, the percentage drops to 11.3% among women, who represent 34.2% of the crypto population.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.