A new survey published Wednesday by Visa shows that 18% of Hong Kong residents are active cryptocurrency investors, while 13% are passive investors, representing the second-highest engagement with crypto just after the U.S.

Fast facts

  • The survey collected 6,430 online responses from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, South Africa, the U.S., and the U.K. between Aug. 25 and Sept. 13.
  • Among the surveyed developed markets, the U.S. appeared to have the most engaged investors, followed by Hong Kong. The survey shows 27% of the U.S. respondents are active crypto owners — those who have used cryptocurrency to send or receive money, buy goods or accept payment at least once — while 9% are passive investors. Passive owners are defined as consumers who have purchased crypto as an investment but have not transferred or transacted with it.
  • The survey found that nearly one in three crypto-aware adults across the surveyed jurisdictions already own or use cryptocurrency, and 62% of that group said their use has increased in the past year.
  • Notably, the Visa survey shows that among current crypto owners, 81% of them express interest in crypto-linked cards, which allow users to convert and spend crypto at retailers.