Number of crypto holders in the UK declines, but average holdings per person increase—Insights from FCA's latest regulatory framework

【ChainNews】An interesting polarization phenomenon has emerged in the UK crypto market. According to the FCA’s latest “Cryptoassets Consumer Research 2025” report, the number of UK adults holding crypto assets has decreased from approximately 7 million to 4.5 million, with the proportion dropping from 12% to 8%. At first glance, this suggests a contraction in market participation.

However, there is more to the story behind the numbers. Although the total number of holders has decreased, the average holding per person has risen to about $2,500. Among them, approximately 21% of respondents hold between £1,001 and £5,000, indicating a transition from retail dominance to a concentration of professional holders.

Asset allocation is highly concentrated. Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate, with about 70% and 35% of investors holding them, respectively. The dual-coin setup has almost become the standard allocation for crypto investments. Awareness of cryptocurrencies remains high at 91%, indicating that although the number of actual holders is declining, the breadth of awareness has not diminished.

The FCA has also initiated a consultation process under the new regulatory framework. According to data from the Financial Times in October, the total crypto assets held by UK residents amount to approximately $17.3 billion, a scale that warrants regulatory attention to market standardization and risk prevention.