Crypto-asset ownership among Spanish households

Rationale Crypto-assets have become an important economic and social phenomenon, associated with new ways of managing savings and investment. This article analyses their degree of penetration in Spain, the characteristics of their holders and their share in households’ financial wealth. Takeaways •Spanish households’ direct exposure to crypto-assets is limited. 4.8% of the Spanish population owned crypto-assets in 2021. For 80% of households owning crypto-assets, the share of these products in their financial portfolio did not exceed 10% in 2022. •Crypto-asset ownership is more prevalent among young men with a higher level of education and greater financial literacy. Crypto-asset holders consider themselves risk-tolerant, claim to plan their personal finances and also invest in other assets, such as shares and investment funds. They do not show any signs of rejecting the traditional financial system. •0.6% of households hold a substantial portion of their wealth in crypto-assets, which entails greater exposure to the risks associated with these assets.