Growing Interest in Cryptocurrencies Among Italians

Increased Crypto Holdings in Italy

The interest in cryptocurrencies among Italians has been rising significantly. Data from the Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM), the regulatory body overseeing brokers and financial intermediaries, reveals a substantial increase in crypto holdings by Italians in the first quarter of 2024. The total value of cryptocurrencies held by Italian investors has surpassed 2.7 billion euros, marking a significant uptick from the previous quarter.

Research Findings

The research, conducted by the OAM in collaboration with the Bank of Italy and Consob, shows a comprehensive view of the Italian crypto investor profile. This study is part of the regulatory framework requiring Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to report their activities. VASPs are companies offering financial services related to virtual assets, encompassing a broad range of crypto tokens.

Substantial Growth

The findings indicate a notable increase in the aggregate crypto holdings among Italians, growing by over 85% from December 2023 to March 2024. The number of investors has also risen, with private investors increasing by 13% and VASPs by 9%. As of March 31, 2024, there are 1.3 million crypto holders in Italy, including both individual investors and corporate entities. The data also highlights a surge in transactions converting digital assets to fiat currency, reflecting dynamic capital management by investors.

Demographic Insights

The majority of crypto assets are held by investors in northern Italy (79%), with central and southern regions holding 5.1% and 1.4%, respectively. This geographic distribution remains consistent with the trends observed in late 2023. Italian crypto investors tend to be older, with 53.7% aged between 40 and 60, while those aged 18 to 40 hold 33.2% of the total value.

Investment Preferences

The survey reveals a preference for personal over institutional investments in cryptocurrencies. Individual investors, managing their assets through crypto exchanges, account for 99.93% of the total crypto holdings in Italy. The majority of these investors are based in northern Italy (49%) and abroad (31%), with central and southern Italy holding 11% and 8%, respectively.

Corporate Interest and Regulatory Developments

While individual investments dominate, there is a growing interest among crypto businesses in investing in Italy. The survey aims to understand the potential evolution of the entrepreneurial landscape in the crypto sector, especially with the upcoming implementation of the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation in 2025. This regulation is expected to bring significant changes and new opportunities for regulated operations in the crypto market.

Future Prospects

Approximately half of the VASPs registered with the OAM express a desire to obtain licenses to provide crypto-related services. Currently, the main activities include crypto exchanges (45%), crypto-to-crypto exchanges (52%), and executing crypto transactions on behalf of clients (48%). The survey indicates that only a minority of businesses have shown interest in issuing their own tokens, suggesting potential areas for growth as the regulatory environment evolves.

The ongoing increase in cryptocurrency adoption and the impending regulatory changes are set to shape the future of the crypto and blockchain technology landscape in Italy. As these developments unfold, the Italian market may see more businesses and individuals engaging with and investing in digital assets.