Asia Surpasses U.S., Europe in Bitcoin Retail Trading
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has taken the lead in retail Bitcoin trading, surpassing the U.S. and Europe, according to research published by Gemini and Glassnode in February 2024.
Retail $BTC trading in APAC is leaving the US and EU in the dust.
While institutions dominate the West, retail investors in Asia are driving the market forward.
Glassnode & Gemini confirm what we’re all seeing—APAC is becoming crypto’s real powerhouse. pic.twitter.com/Z8npjVAw15
— Kyledoops (@kyledoops) February 6, 2025
Excluding exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange flows, APAC has shown faster growth in retail activity than Western regions.
APAC Leads Growth in Retail Bitcoin Market
Glassnode researchers examined transaction timestamps and linked Bitcoin trades to regional working hours.
The study revealed that “retail activity in the APAC region has grown at a faster rate than other geographies.”
APAC leading the charge in retail Bitcoin trading, outpacing both US and Europe, according to recent market survey. High volume indicates strong retail interest and potential for future $BTC growth in the region.
— Alfa AI (@AlfaTerminal) February 6, 2025
Since Bitcoin hit its cycle low in December 2022, APAC has recorded a year-over-year supply growth of 6.4%.
In contrast, the U.S. experienced a 5.7% drop, while Europe declined by 0.7% during the same period.
Multiple factors drive APAC’s leadership in retail Bitcoin trading. The region’s expanding digital economy and growing awareness of cryptocurrencies have encouraged non-institutional investors to engage in the market. Supportive technology advancements have further strengthened this trend.
Regulatory frameworks in certain APAC countries have adjusted, creating conditions that support Bitcoin adoption.
Indonesia has emerged as a key market, with cryptocurrency transactions exceeding $30 billion in 2024 and an estimated 21 million active traders.
This places Indonesia among the top 20 countries in global crypto adoption.
APAC’s Growing Role in the Global Market
Recent data indicates that APAC accounts for 29% of the total digital currency value received globally.
This surpasses North America’s 19% and Western Europe’s 22%, highlighting the region’s expanding role in digital asset trading.
The U.S. market has increasingly leaned toward institutional participation, particularly after the introduction of spot ETFs.
Analysts believe the launch of these ETFs in January 2024 created new opportunities for both retail and institutional investors.
Glassnode emphasized that this dynamic “reflects an inversion in behavioral activity between the U.S. and APAC, suggesting a shifting dominance in retail activity between the two regions.”
APAC’s Bitcoin trading sector reflects a growing investor base with a stronger grasp of digital assets.
Meanwhile, crypto exchange Gemini is expanding its operations in Europe, with former Kraken executive Mark Jennings leading the region’s unit.
This development follows the implementation of the European Union’s MiCA regulations, which mandate proper licensing for crypto firms.
The exchange, which launched its operations in France, is positioning itself to enter Europe’s expanding digital currency market.
As market dynamics evolve, APAC’s role in the global Bitcoin sector is expected to expand.
Source: cryptonews.com
