The Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index (IRCI) has just been published for 2026. Now in its seventh year, the annual survey of more than 2,000 everyday Australians is designed to reflect the country’s population across age, gender, and location.
The 2026 index score edged down slightly to 53 from 54 the previous year, measuring national sentiment across awareness, adoption, trust, and confidence in cryptocurrency.
- Crypto adoption hits record levels: 33% of Australians now own cryptocurrency, up 31% from 2025.
- Banks are increasingly blocking crypto payments: 30% of Aussie investors say their bank has blocked or delayed transfers to a crypto exchange.
- Crypto taxes still unclear: While 59% of Aussie crypto holders say they understand the tax treatment of crypto, 53% still want clearer guidance on what is taxed, when tax applies, and why.
- Capital gains tax on everyday spending debated: 33% of investors believe capital gains tax shouldn’t apply when crypto is used for daily purchases like groceries.
Record crypto adoption in Australia
Cryptocurrency adoption in Australia has surged to a new record, with one in three Australians (33%) now owning digital assets, according to the IRCI.
The national survey also found crypto awareness has reached 95%, with younger Australians leading the charge. More than half (53%) of people aged 25–34 now own cryptocurrency, making them the most active demographic in the market.
Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny said that younger Australians are 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. As a result, many are exploring alternative assets that have historically delivered stronger returns than traditional portfolios, and cryptocurrency has naturally become an option,” Przelozny said.
Banks Still a Barrier for Aussie Crypto Investors
But as adoption rises, tensions between crypto investors and traditional banks are growing.
Nearly one in three investors (30%) say their bank has blocked or delayed a payment to a crypto exchange, up significantly from about one in five the previous year.
Australians also appear divided on where the market is heading. Six in ten respondents say they are unsure whether the crypto market is currently 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, with many Australians unsure whether there is more downside ahead or not,” Przelozny said.
“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 crypto will remain part of the financial system in the years ahead,” Przelozny said.
Aussies See a Long-Term Future for Crypto
Despite this uncertainty, many Australians remain optimistic about the long-term future of digital assets. Two in five respondents believe cryptocurrencies will eventually become widely accepted for everyday use, while 67% now view Bitcoin as a legitimate financial asset, such as an investment or store of value.
Regulation is also emerging as a significant factor for the industry’s future. More than half of Australians (51%) say clearer regulation of crypto exchanges would increase their confidence, while many non-investors say stronger consumer protections would make them more likely to enter the market.
“Regulation is the missing link for crypto adoption in Australia. People are already interested, but they need confidence that crypto exchanges are reliable before committing, and clearer rules could unlock a lot of new participation,” Przelozny said.
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, suggesting long-term holders continue to benefit from time in the market.
About Independent Reserve
Established in 2013, Independent Reserve is Australia’s trusted cryptocurrency exchange and OTC trading desk. Over 500,000 customers from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore trust Independent Reserve to easily trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and other major cryptocurrencies. Independent Reserve offers a range of innovative features, including AutoTrader, crypto OTC trading desk, API integration and world-class security.
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