ConsenSys has just released the results of the second global survey report conducted by the international online research and data analysis company YouGov. The survey targeted 18,000 respondents aged 18 to 65 across 18 countries and regions in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
This survey continues the key issues from the 2023 report and adds new topics, delving deeper into the public's concerns about data privacy exposure, Web 3, decentralization, the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain, and the compliance of cryptocurrency spot ETFs. Based on the survey results, analyses are conducted by region, providing insights into Web3, cryptocurrencies, and decentralization, and revealing opportunities and challenges in education and application. Here are a few highlights from the official press release.
Table of Contents
ToggleContinued increase in awareness and participation in cryptocurrencies
Globally, 93% of respondents said they have heard of cryptocurrencies, an increase of 1% from last year. Of these, 51% of respondents said they understand the basic concept of cryptocurrencies. 42% of respondents said they currently own or have previously purchased cryptocurrencies, with significant increases in ownership in the Philippines (+7%), Mexico (+8%), Germany (+7%), South Africa (+7%), and Japan (+4%).
Increasing participation in Web3
In the top 11 global Web3 activities, 10 saw increased participation, including collecting Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) (+3%), using decentralized finance (DeFi) (+4%), participating in blockchain games (+3%), owning Web3 wallets (+6%), and participating in staking services (+3%), with the number of people participating in Web 3 activities growing year-over-year.
Increased awareness and acceptance of decentralization
Over half of respondents from markets such as the United States, Nigeria, South Africa, and India (58%) said they have a good understanding of decentralization, indicating that decentralization is gradually becoming more mainstream globally.
Building confidence for the restructuring of the financial system
Most respondents believe the current financial system needs reform, and more (+2%) believe the existing financial system should be restructured compared to last year.
Power distribution between Web2 and decentralization
Globally, 80% of respondents believe that the power of Web2 institutions is overly concentrated, and over a third of respondents believe that social media platforms and international banks and remittance payment systems could benefit from a decentralized revolution.
Concerns about artificial intelligence
Over 75% of respondents expressed concerns that artificial intelligence could lead to fake news and fraud, and 54% believe that blockchain technology can help mitigate these risks.
Cryptocurrency adoption in emerging markets
Cryptocurrencies, Web3, and blockchain have seen significant adoption in emerging markets like Nigeria, India, and South Africa, while in some areas of Europe, North America, Japan, and Korea, the development has been relatively slower.
Key findings of the 2024 survey
Personal data privacy exposure issues
Globally, 83% of respondents said that personal data exposure is their biggest concern. Only 46% of respondents believe their internet service providers can properly handle personal data. Most respondents (78%) want to have better control over their online identity and benefit from disclosing their personal data. Only 39% of respondents believe they are adequately compensated for the value they create through their online activities.
Concerns about artificial intelligence
Over 75% of respondents expressed concerns that artificial intelligence could lead to fake news and fraud, and 54% believe that blockchain technology can help mitigate these risks.
Viewpoints of ConsenSys founder Joseph Lubin
Concerns about Artificial Intelligence
Respondents generally expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of Artificial Intelligence (such as fake news and fraudulent content). Over 75% of respondents were aware of these issues, and 54% of respondents believed that Blockchain technology could reduce the risks, further emphasizing the potential of Blockchain technology in the future digital ecosystem.
Perspective of Joseph Lubin, Founder of ConsenSys
Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and founder and CEO of ConsenSys, emphasized that Blockchain and decentralized technologies are aimed at enhancing the management of confidential data, and their role in improving trust and transparency cannot be ignored. The results of this survey not only showed the importance of data privacy issues (83% of respondents strongly emphasized this), but also revealed people's concerns about the exploitation and misuse of personal information and the spread of misinformation, which are urgent issues facing the global proliferation of Artificial Intelligence. He also added that we can see the growth and increasing application of cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, and the Web3 ecosystem every year, and 2024 will be a critical year for cryptocurrencies, with many factors rapidly converging and driving society towards a more equitable and decentralized future.
The results of this survey show that global attention and acceptance of cryptocurrencies, Web3, and Blockchain are gradually increasing. However, the demand for education and consensus still exists, especially in promoting the widespread adoption of Web3 and decentralization, with the exposure of personal information being the biggest concern. Therefore, this calls for a universal consensus on the Blockchain knowledge revolution for institutions and individuals. The future development of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies will see strong growth in 2025, especially in emerging markets, where there is a vast blue ocean of potential.
Risk Warning
Cryptocurrency investments are highly risky, and their prices may fluctuate dramatically, and you may lose your entire principal. Please carefully evaluate the risks.
