The world’s understanding of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and Web3 continues to evolve. A comprehensive 2025 global survey conducted by Consensys in partnership with YouGov sheds light on how people across 15 countries perceive data privacy, digital ownership, financial systems, and emerging technologies like NFTs and the metaverse. With over 15,000 respondents aged 18–65 from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, this research offers a nuanced look into public sentiment toward the future of the internet and decentralized finance.
Data Privacy, Digital Ownership, and Trust in Financial Systems
The Growing Demand for Data Control
Data privacy remains a top concern worldwide — 83% of respondents say it is important to them. However, trust in current internet platforms is low: only 45% fully trust services like social media, email, or online gaming to handle their personal data responsibly. Meanwhile, 79% want greater control over their online identities, and 70% believe they should share in the profits generated from their data.
Interestingly, countries with strong data protection laws — such as Germany, France, and the UK — show slightly lower urgency around data privacy, possibly due to existing regulatory safeguards. In contrast, users in Nigeria and Indonesia express higher trust in how their data is used but simultaneously demand stronger control and profit-sharing mechanisms.
👉 Discover how Web3 puts your data back in your hands.
Who Owns Value Created Online?
There’s a growing sense of digital ownership among internet users. Globally, 50% believe they add value to the internet, and 67% assert they should own what they create online. Yet only 38% feel adequately compensated for their contributions. This gap is especially pronounced in Japan, France, and Germany, where users report lower feelings of ownership and fair compensation.
This disconnect highlights a critical opportunity for Web3: empowering creators through tokenization, smart contracts, and decentralized platforms that reward participation directly.
Reimagining the Financial System
Public confidence in traditional finance remains fragile. Most respondents agree the current system needs improvement — a sentiment particularly strong in emerging economies like Nigeria, Brazil, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Many see crypto as a tool for rebuilding more inclusive and transparent financial ecosystems.
In countries with volatile local currencies — such as Nigeria and Argentina — crypto is increasingly viewed not just as an investment, but as a hedge against inflation and a gateway to global capital markets.
Adoption of Crypto and Web3: Awareness, Ownership, and Barriers
Global Awareness of Cryptocurrency
Despite ongoing debates, awareness of crypto is high: 92% of respondents have heard of cryptocurrency. Understanding varies significantly by region. Nigeria leads at 78%, followed by South Africa (61%), Brazil (59%), India (56%), and South Korea (63%). In contrast, only about one-third of respondents in Indonesia and Japan claim to understand crypto.
Age and gender also play a role. Men aged 25–34 are the most informed demographic globally, while older adults and women tend to lag behind — reflecting broader digital literacy gaps.
Who Owns Crypto?
Globally, 40% of respondents have owned or currently own crypto assets. Ownership rates are highest in the U.S., Philippines, Vietnam, India, Nigeria, and South Africa. Notably, 70% of Nigerians report owning or having owned crypto — the highest rate globally.
Future investment intent reveals a regional divide. In Africa and Southeast Asia — particularly Nigeria (90%), South Africa (78%), Philippines (57%), and Vietnam (57%) — enthusiasm remains strong. Conversely, European nations and Japan show much lower interest, with many respondents stating they definitely will not invest.
Key Barriers to Entry
Despite interest, adoption faces hurdles. The primary concerns include:
- Market volatility
- Risk of fraud
- Lack of knowledge about safe practices
Education emerges as a critical need. In Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines, and India, 17–21% of respondents don’t know where to start when entering the crypto space. Even in high-interest markets like Nigeria and South Africa, users want clearer guidance on security and best practices.
👉 Learn how to safely navigate your first steps into Web3.
The Impact of Centralized Exchange Collapses
Public Awareness of FTX and Celsius
The 2022 collapses of major centralized exchanges (CEX) like FTX and Celsius left deep scars — but awareness varies. Globally, two-thirds of respondents had heard of these failures. Awareness was highest in the U.S., India, Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam — over half in each country were informed.
In Japan, however, only 20% were aware, suggesting limited media coverage or public discourse.
Misunderstanding Decentralization
A striking finding: many people mistakenly believed FTX and Celsius were decentralized exchanges (DEX). This confusion was widespread in Nigeria (53%), South Africa (53%), and Vietnam (52%). Even in the U.S. and India — where awareness is higher — fewer than 14% correctly identified them as centralized entities.
This underscores a fundamental knowledge gap: while people follow crypto news, they often lack clarity on core structural differences between centralized and decentralized platforms.
Rebuilding Trust After Crisis
Did these failures shake trust in blockchain technology? Responses vary:
- In Germany, Vietnam, India, and South Africa, most said trust remained unaffected.
- Globally, there’s consensus that improved security and transparency are essential to restore confidence.
Regional preferences differ:
- South Korea and Vietnam favor stronger government regulation.
- Japan and Indonesia emphasize accountability.
- Nigeria and Argentina prioritize user education on risks and best practices.
Web3 Concepts: NFTs, Metaverse, and Wallet Literacy
Understanding Web3 Technologies
Despite growing buzz, Web3 remains the least understood concept, with only 24% of global respondents familiar with it. In contrast:
- Metaverse: 36% familiarity
- NFTs: 34% familiarity
Nigeria stands out — 25% claim to be very familiar with Web3, far above the global average. The UK also shows relatively high awareness. Elsewhere — especially across Europe and Japan — familiarity remains low.
Gender plays a role too: men consistently report higher familiarity across all Web3 concepts.
NFT Ownership and Engagement
NFT ownership is most common in Vietnam, India, and South Africa — though overall adoption is still limited by low awareness. Among those familiar with Web3:
- 33% have sent or received transactions
- 27% use Web3 wallets or stake assets
- Others engage via decentralized social media or blockchain games
Only a small fraction actively own NFTs — but interest persists, particularly among younger demographics in high-adoption regions.
👉 See how NFTs are reshaping digital ownership today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between centralized (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX)?
A: Centralized exchanges (like FTX) are operated by companies that control user funds and trade execution. Decentralized exchanges run on blockchain protocols without intermediaries, giving users full control over their assets.
Q: Why do people care about data privacy in Web3?
A: Web3 enables users to own their digital identity and data through self-custody wallets and decentralized apps. This reduces reliance on big tech platforms that monetize user data without sharing profits.
Q: Is crypto only popular in developing countries?
A: No — while adoption is strong in countries like Nigeria and Vietnam due to economic factors, interest exists globally. However, enthusiasm is higher where trust in traditional finance is low or internet innovation is accelerating.
Q: How can I safely start using Web3 applications?
A: Start with reputable non-custodial wallets (like MetaMask), avoid sharing private keys, enable two-factor authentication, and educate yourself on phishing scams before interacting with dApps.
Q: Are NFTs just digital art?
A: While often associated with art, NFTs represent verifiable ownership of any digital or physical asset — including music, real estate deeds, memberships, or in-game items.
Q: Will Web3 replace the current internet?
A: Not immediately — but it offers an alternative vision where users have more control over identity, data, and value creation. Mainstream adoption depends on usability improvements and clearer use cases.
Conclusion: Bridging the Awareness Gap
While crypto awareness is high globally, true understanding of Web3 remains limited — only 8% say they’re very familiar with it. Yet public attitudes reveal a powerful undercurrent: people want greater control over their data, fairer compensation for their online contributions, and alternatives to traditional finance.
This creates a pivotal moment for builders and educators in the space. By focusing on real-world applications — privacy-preserving identity solutions, creator monetization tools, decentralized finance — the industry can bridge the gap between perception and potential.
The shift from passive “user” to empowered “builder” is underway. Now is the time to make Web3 accessible, trustworthy, and relevant to everyone.
Core Keywords: Web3 adoption, crypto awareness, data privacy, digital ownership, NFTs, metaverse, blockchain literacy, decentralized finance