Crypto tensions between investors and banks are growing even as young Aussies turn to it to build their financial future.
A new national survey from Independent Reserve, its 2026 Cryptocurrency Index and seventh one, has just been published; the annual survey covers more than 2000 Australians across age, gender, and location.
Click here for the full report.
It shows adoption is at a record level for the survey with 33% of respondents now owners (up from 31% last year) even as 30% of respondents say their bank blocked or delayed transfers to a crypto exchange, up 20% from the year before.
Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny said that younger Australians may be facing a make-or-break point for their financial futures.
“Younger Australians are confronting an economic reality where traditional wealth-building paths, particularly home ownership, feel increasingly out of reach,” he says.
“As a result, many are exploring alternative assets that historically delivered stronger returns than traditional portfolios; cryptocurrency has naturally become an option.”
CRYPTO AWARENESS
The survey found crypto awareness has reached 95% with younger Australians leading the charge; 53% of people aged 25–34 now own cryptocurrency, the most active demographic in the market.
Australians appear divided on where the market is heading; six in ten respondents say they are unsure whether the market is in a bull or bear phase, reflecting ongoing volatility.
“Bitcoin’s price has pulled back since reaching record highs late in 2025, and that uncertainty is clearly reflected in the survey results; many Australians are unsure whether there is more downside ahead or not,” Przelozny explains.
“What’s interesting, however, is that adoption continues to rise.
“That tells us many Australians are looking beyond short-term price movements
and have confidence that it will remain part of the financial system in the years ahead.”
Two in five respondents believe cryptocurrencies will eventually become widely accepted while 67% view Bitcoin as a legitimate financial asset, such as an investment or store of value.
Regulation is emerging as a big factor for the industry, the survey says, with 51% of Aussies saying clearer regulation of exchanges would increase their confidence.
Many non-investors say stronger consumer protections would make them more likely to enter the market.
“Regulation is the missing link for adoption in Australia,” Przelozny says.
“People are already interested but they need confidence that exchanges are reliable before committing, and clearer rules could unlock a lot of new participation.”
Bitcoin remains the dominant digital asset, held by 71% of Australian crypto investors, and 57% of investors say they have made a profit from crypto.
SURVEY FINDINGS
Other findings from the survey reveal:
59% of Aussie holders say they understand the tax treatment but 53% still want clearer guidance on what is taxed, when tax applies and why.
33% of investors believe capital gains tax should not apply when crypto is used for daily purchases like groceries.
33% of Australians own digital assets.
About Independent Reserve
They are a registered Australian company (ABN 46 164 257 069) and a registered Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) with AUSTRAC; click here to visit their website.
