Why Central and South Asia and Oceania Dominate the Top 20 Spots in the Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index in 2024

Why Central and South Asia and Oceania Dominate the Top 20 Spots in the Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index in 2024

As a researcher with a background in economics and a keen interest in fintech trends, I have closely followed the evolution of cryptocurrency adoption across different regions around the world. My personal experiences, coupled with my professional expertise, allow me to provide an informed opinion on the significant role Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) play in global crypto adoption.


As a cryptocurrency analysis specialist, I’d like to share that Chainalysis, a renowned authority in the field, compiles an annual assessment of crypto adoption worldwide. Their comprehensive reports provide insights into the dynamic crypto landscape across continents. Furthermore, they establish a Crypto Adoption Index (CAI) ranking system, enabling us to identify top-performing countries in terms of their embrace and integration of cryptocurrencies.

During the period from July 2022 to June 2023, Central and Southern Asia, along with Oceania (referred to as CSAO), accounted for approximately 19.3% of the total cryptocurrency inflows globally.

Among the top 20 countries in the Global Crypto Adoption Index, those within the CSAO (Comprehensive Strategy for Africa’s Open Business Environment) hold significant positions. The following outlines some potential explanations for their prominent standings:

High Grassroots Adoption

Instead of focusing solely on countries with the greatest number of cryptocurrency transactions, grassroots adoption emphasizes identifying and nurturing growth in places where the potential for widespread usage is high but may not be immediately apparent. These areas often have unique economic conditions or cultural trends that could make them prime candidates for crypto adoption, even if they don’t currently rank among the leaders in transaction volume.

As an analyst, I would rephrase it as follows: I focus on grassroots adoption when examining cryptocurrency usage across different nations. This means looking at the extent to which ordinary citizens are adopting cryptocurrencies. Consequently, the Global Crypto Adoption Index is a tool that pinpoints countries where a considerable percentage of the population is converting a substantial portion of their wealth into digital currencies.

As a financial analyst, I would express it this way: In my analysis, countries like India, Pakistan, and the Philippines rank highly on the global cryptocurrency adoption index due to a significant proportion of their populations holding cryptocurrencies compared to their average wealth.

Young, Tech-Savvy Populations

In many countries belonging to the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CSAO), the median age is below thirty. Members of younger generations, accustomed to technology, are more prone to embracing innovative financial solutions such as cryptocurrencies.

Based on my extensive research and analysis of global cryptocurrency adoption rates, I can confidently share that as of 2023, Vietnam had a total population of approximately 98.8 million individuals. Remarkably, around 20 million of these tech-savvy Vietnamese residents embraced the digital currency revolution and owned some form of cryptocurrency.

Methodology

In simpler terms, the global cryptocurrency adoption index for the CSAO region calculates estimated transaction volumes for various cryptocurrencies using on-site data, such as web traffic trends.

Five sub-indexes comprise the composition of the index, with each one reflecting a country’s crypto adoption level. By evaluating all countries that provide adequate data for each sub-index, their respective rankings are then adjusted based on factors like purchasing power and population size.

After calculating the geometric mean of each country’s ranking in all five categories, the resulting numbers are normalized and scaled from 0 to 1. The final score represents a country’s overall rank, with a score closer to 1 indicating a higher position in the ranking.

Adoption in Entertainment and Casinos

The fusion of cryptocurrencies into entertainment and casinos has boosted the area’s cryptocurrency acceptance level.

Bitcoins, Ripples, and Ethereums – three well-known cryptocurrencies – have gained significant recognition in the entertainment industry thanks to their expanding popularity and unique features.

The integration of cryptocurrency in loyalty rewards programs allows for the use of NFTs and tokens, opening up innovative opportunities for upcoming events and elevating fan engagement.

In the realm of online gaming, particularly casinos, cryptocurrencies have gained significant popularity. They provide a level playing field with fair betting chances and introduce innovative methods for owning and managing digital assets anonymously.

High Engagement

In the time frame between July 2021 and June 2022, nations like India, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, and Thailand in the CSAO region have shown significant involvement with cryptocurrencies. Collectively, they attracted over $500 billion in investments.

Large Transactions

In the CSAO area, a significant proportion of cryptocurrency transfer transactions exceeding $10 million takes place. This substantial activity significantly boosts the region’s high adoption rate. However, it is essential to keep in mind that smaller transactions, though vital, have had minimal impact on this phenomenon.

Innovation in Blockchain Entertainment

NFTs, as indicated by web traffic trends, could represent a substantial entrance point for CSAOs into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) at present. The spheres of play-to-earn (P2E) games and NFTs are closely interconnected.

According to data analysis, NFT (Non-Fungible Token) sites account for the largest proportion of traffic to Decentralized Finance (DeFi) websites in almost all Countries with Significant Activity in Crypto Assets (CSAO). A substantial portion of this traffic is directed towards entertainment and blockchain gaming industries.

The CSAO region, known for its thriving blockchain industry, is particularly famous for hosting entertainment companies based on the technology. Notably, influential blockchain developers in gaming, such as Immutable X from Australia and Polygon originating in India, have established their headquarters there.

Economic Factors

In the CSAO region, countries exhibit diverse degrees of economic progress. For instance, nations such as Vietnam and Pakistan encounter currency depreciation and steep inflation, leading them to consider cryptocurrencies as an alternative form of wealth preservation.

In many developing countries nearby, a significant number of people don’t have the opportunity to use conventional banking services and are considered underbanked or unbanked. Cryptocurrencies provide these nations with an innovative solution for transactions, money transfers, and investments.

Regulatory Environment

As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, I’ve observed that governments such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines have adopted more favorable regulatory stances towards cryptocurrencies. Their positive views on crypto have created an enabling environment that fosters innovation. Consequently, adoption of cryptocurrencies in these countries has experienced significant growth.

Read More

2024-07-16 16:43