Research reveals what South Africans think about cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a hot topic. Colourful conversations and passionate debates about how it works and whether to invest have been commonplace at dinner parties, family gatherings, in the office and now online, for some time now. Those who invested were considered risk takers while those who had not were too nervous to invest and worried that the “bubble may burst”.

Today, its popularity is growing and it’s becoming more mainstream, with El Salvador being the first country to recognise it as a legal tender, albeit not without hiccups and glitches in its first days of trade. There’s been renewed interest during the pandemic, with associated growth, as a result of promotion by influential public figures such as Elon Musk. With this marked crypto boom, we decided to take a closer look at the behaviour and attitudes of South Africans towards cryptocurrency via our YouView panel of consumers.

Testing the waters: Trial is high, while serious investor numbers are low

Global cryptocurrency exchange Luno estimates that 15% of South Africans have cryptocurrency. This marks the second-highest percentage in the world. According to our data and a recent survey completed by our panel of SA adults, numbers are higher, with 25% saying that they have cryptocurrency worth between R100 and R1,000. While this percentage is high, the amount invested is low. This indicates that the bulk of SA crypto investors are experimenting and dabbling, without making a significant financial commitment. 

Percentages for more serious investors:

• 13% have crypto of R1,001 — R10,000 in value.
• 6% have crypto of R10,0001 — R50,000 in value.
• 3% have crypto of more than R50,000 in value.

Results also show 36% are keen to invest in crypto in the future. These numbers, along with the 25% dabbling with a low-value crypto investments, indicate many are “crypto-curious” and  interested in learning the ropes while trying it out. 

Where does ‘crypto-curiosity’ stem from?

Curiosity stems from the perception that crypto offers a quick gain for those investing - without needing deep knowledge or much understanding of the category. 

The main appeal and advantage of crypto is the perception that there is an opportunity to make considerable gains on your investment in the short-term, with 43% stating this as their main reason for interest in crypto.

Other reasons for being interested in crypto:

• It allows you to diversify your investments/portfolio (20%).
• It’s easy and accessible - everyone can do it, you just need a smartphone, a bank account and some money (16%).
• It’s an exciting currency to invest in (8%).
• You can send it to people in other countries (4%).
• It’s not regulated (4%).
• You are cool, trendy and able to talk about having it with your friends and family (3%).

However, despite being willing to invest and having an interest in making considerable gains in the short-term, many don’t seem to understand the details, workings and value of crypto, with 44% citing their main concern about the digital currency is that they don’t understand some element of how it works.

So, we see a certain investor mindset arise in this space: a consumer willing to take a risk to make a quick buck, despite lacking in knowledge or understanding of how it works.

What’s holding people back?

Despite many being “crypto-curious”, 17% state that they don’t have any cryptocurrency and are not planning on acquiring any.

When we asked what’s stopping people from investing in crypto or investing more in crypto, just over a third felt that they prefer to invest (or invest more) in formal/regulated financial products or with formal/regulated financial service providers. 

Just under a quarter felt they don’t know or understand enough to invest or invest more in crypto, so we see that lack of knowledge makes these people pull back from the category or from investing much more than their R100 to R1,000. 

Other reasons that prevent people from investing or investing more:

• It’s too risky - the bubble could burst at any time and you may lose too much money (11%).
• Don’t trust cryptocurrency (10%).

While general interest is widespread, crypto enthusiasts represent a small number — but that could grow.

While numbers are small, there are those who exhibit hyper-passionate attitudes towards crypto; 13% say they invest in crypto and they have no concerns holding them back, and 8% say not having enough disposable income is the only thing holding them back from investing more in crypto.

The SA market offers opportunity in the category

From the data, we certainly see that there are high levels of interest among South Africans in the category in general. And if people start to feel more educated, and banks and regulators climb on-board (as they are looking to do in other markets), South Africans may be even more convinced, and interest and confidence may continue to grow.

For more information, visit www.kla.co.za.

This article was paid for by KLA.