VICTORIA, Seychelles, September 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXICOone of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has released its Q1 and Q2 2025 user survey, mapping the changing face of global crypto adoption. The report illustrates how adoption is influenced by economic stresses, cultural factors and market cycles, revealing stark contrasts between regions.
In a context of persistent inflationary pressures and monetary weakness, cryptocurrencies are increasingly seen as a safe haven. The share of global users citing crypto as a hedge against inflation increased from 29% to 46% in the second quarter. East Asia saw the most dramatic rise – from 23% to 52%, while the Middle East almost doubled from 27% to 45%, highlighting the role of macroeconomic instability in accelerating the adoption of digital assets.
Key points to remember:
- Global share of users citing crypto as a hedge against inflation from 29% in the first quarter to 46% in the second quarter, with East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East leading the way.
- Latin America promotes community adoption: memecoin ownership soared to 34%and 63% of new users cite passive income as their entry point.
- South Asia leads trade activitywith spot trading going up to 52% and financial independence being the main motivation for 53% of users.
- Public chain tokens remain the backbone of the wallet (65%+ worldwide).
- The wealth of investors is redistributed: high-net-worth portfolios ($20,000 and above) declined in East Asia (39% → 33%), while mid-tier holdings increased.
Regional contrasts
Latin America has become the cultural heart of crypto. Memecoin adoption increased from 27% to 34%, the highest growth globally, while 63% of new entrants identified “earning passive income” as their primary motivation. This reflects a retail-driven market, in which yield and community tokens play a central role.
South Asia is the world’s trading power. Spot trading jumped from 45% to 52%, well above the global average, and 53% of users cited financial independence as their driving force. With a younger, mobile population and limited access to traditional financing, the region is becoming the most dynamic retail environment.
South Asia continues to lead other regions in futures trading (46%), while Europe shows more measured adoption, remaining closer to global averages across all categories.
Portfolio and market behavior
Public chain tokens remain the cornerstone of crypto wallets, with over 65% of global users holding them. Trust is highest in Latin America (74%) and Southeast Asia (70%), where investors view blockchain infrastructure as long-term value.
Stablecoins have remained stable at around 50% globally, suggesting a balance between risk aversion and the search for yield. Futures trading showed divergent behavior: South Asia (46%) and Southeast Asia (38%) outperformed the global average of 29%, while Latin America fell to 19%, indicating a preference for lower risk strategies.
Meanwhile, the distribution of wealth is changing. High-net-worth portfolios ($20,000 and above) fell in East Asia to 33% from 39%, reflecting profit-taking and regulatory headwinds. At the same time, mid-tier portfolios ($5,000 to $20,000) have grown, signaling broader but more evenly distributed participation.
Outlook for the third quarter of 2025
The survey results suggest several key developments, each shaped by underlying economic and cultural factors:
- The adoption of inflation hedges will continue to increase. With continued global macroeconomic uncertainty, weak fiat currencies, and continued inflation in regions like East Asia and the Middle East, protecting wealth from devaluation is becoming the primary driver of adoption. If current pressures persist, “heritage protection” could become the main entry point in all regions by the third quarter.
- Moving from speculation to structured trading. As the global crypto market enters a late bullish phase, risk appetite is shifting. Futures and margin trading, already on the rise in South Asia (46%) and Southeast Asia (38%), is expected to grow further, especially if volatility increases. This reflects a shift from entertainment-focused entry points to more structured, yield-seeking strategies.
- Portfolio diversification will accelerate. Retailer enthusiasm for memecoins and emerging narratives such as AI tokens is expected to fuel inflows in the near term, but the survey shows these categories remain volatile. Public chain tokens and platform projects will remain dominant “core holdings,” highlighting that investors are balancing hype cycles with trust in infrastructure.
- Wealth levels are polarizing. While high-value wallets ($20,000 and above) are declining in regions facing stricter regulation (notably East Asia), mid-tier wallets are growing globally. This redistribution suggests that capital is being distributed more evenly across a broader user base, reinforcing crypto’s role as an accessible financial tool.
Leadership Commentary
“Crypto adoption is evolving in different ways and at different paces across the world, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach,” said Tracy Jin, COO at MEXC. “From inflation hedges in East Asia to community growth in Latin America, these regional dynamics highlight the importance of tailored solutions. At MEXC, we are committed to providing products that meet local needs while building global trust in the crypto ecosystem.”
About Mexico
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your easiest way to access crypto.” Serving over 40 million users in over 170 countries, MEXC is known for its wide selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, providing secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making cryptocurrency trading more accessible and rewarding.
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