BlackRock: Cryptocurrency Growth Outpaces Mobile Phones and the Internet — 300M Users in 12 Years

A report by BlackRock reveals that cryptocurrencies reached 300 million users in just 12 years. In comparison, mobile phones took 21 years, and the internet needed 15 years to achieve the same milestone.

Crypto is winning the time taken to 300 million users race. Source: BlackRock

That meteoric rise points to a shift in global financial habits. Cryptocurrencies, powered by decentralized finance and blockchain, offer borderless transactions and ever-expanding use cases. BlackRock highlights how evolution pushes innovation and transforms the structure of global markets.

Bitcoin, the world’s most prominent cryptocurrency, stands at the forefront of that revolution. With a market cap nearing USD 2 trillion, bitcoin is often seen as a global monetary alternative. It gains appeal amid concerns about inflation, distrust in institutions, and declining confidence in traditional government-issued currencies.

The report highlights that bitcoin has outpaced the adoption rate of many major innovations. Factors like a tech-savvy younger generation, rising fears of inflation, and global political turbulence have contributed to its popularity. Additionally, the digital transformation of the economy continues to ease barriers to entry, bringing Bitcoin into mainstream financial discussions.

“Younger generations are more likely to be considered “digital natives,” resulting in greater predisposition towards bitcoin adoption than GenX and Baby Boomers,” said the report.

Rapid adoption is not without challenges. Traditionally, investing in Bitcoin required navigating complex processes, including creating new accounts, managing security risks, and paying high fees on cryptocurrency exchanges. However, as the ecosystem matures, solutions like Bitcoin ETFs are stepping in to simplify access.

BlackRock’s newly introduced iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) aims to streamline Bitcoin exposure for a broader audience. By integrating Bitcoin into traditional brokerage accounts, the ETF eliminates the need for complex custody arrangements or specialized crypto platforms.

“As an ETF, IBIT provides exposure to bitcoin, but trades like a stock. Therefore, it can be traded through traditional brokerage platforms alongside other investments such as stocks, bonds, and other ETFs,” the report mentioned.

BlackRock’s IBIT provides convenience and accessibility, allowing investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin just as they would with stocks or bonds. Investors can trade the ETF across taxable and tax-advantaged accounts like the TFSA, making it a seamless addition to diversified portfolios. The company said:

“IBIT can help minimize some of these unique crypto hurdles through a familiar and commonly-traded investment vehicle — the ETF.”

Security and reliability are also at the core of IBIT’s offering, as money lost in traditional finance is more than crypto. Managed by the world’s largest asset manager, the ETF integrates with Coinbase Prime, a trusted institutional digital asset custodian. That partnership underscores BlackRock’s commitment to simplifying the entry into digital assets for both institutional and retail investors.

The advent of bitcoin ETFs like IBIT signals a new era for cryptocurrency accessibility. With a familiar investment vehicle, IBIT makes Bitcoin more approachable, helping investors navigate an otherwise complex space. With the rise in Bitcoin’s price, and fast growing ETF adoption, the Bitcoin ETFs now hold more Bitcoin than Satoshi.