Are You Still Feeling Confused About Cryptocurrency Trading? Majority of Brits Have No Investments Amid Lack of Understanding
A recent survey landscape shows cryptocurrency trading attracting interest even as understanding lags: a survey of 2, 000 adults found nearly one in 10 plan to invest in cryptocurrency this year, while only 18 per cent say they understand it. The gap between appetite for crypto and basic comprehension matters because it sits alongside a broader pattern of low investment participation and calls for better financial education.
Cryptocurrency Trading: appetite rising, understanding fragile
The 2, 000-adult survey commissioned by Bitpanda UK and conducted by OnePoll found that nearly one in 10 respondents plan to invest in crypto this year, yet only 18 per cent say they understand it. Confidence around managing money is fragile: one in five expect to invest more this year than last, but a quarter admitted they feel completely out of their depth when handling finances.
Understanding of specific crypto concepts was especially weak. Some 60 per cent of respondents said they find crypto confusing in general, 57 per cent struggle to grasp crypto wallets, and 56 per cent are unsure about alternative coins beyond bitcoin. Foundational elements were also frequently labelled opaque: 53 per cent cited blockchain technology as unclear, and 55 per cent said bitcoin itself remains opaque.
Why many Brits have no investments
Separate polling for Aviva found that 55 per cent of British adults do not have any investments. Among non-investors, 33 per cent said they do not know enough about investing, while 39 per cent were put off by thinking investing was too risky and feared losing money compared with current or savings accounts. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) lacked the confidence to begin and said they did not know where to start, and 16 per cent found investing too complicated. More than one in 10 (11 per cent) believed a lot of money was needed to start investing, and 47 per cent said they did not have any spare funds to invest.
Barriers, misinformation and trust issues
The surveys identified both informational and psychological barriers. About 38 per cent of respondents said the volume of unverified information online leaves them feeling overwhelmed, and 36 per cent fear making costly mistakes. Systemic factors were also cited: 35 per cent pointed to a lack of financial education in schools, and 35 per cent said insufficient income makes them feel unable to control their finances.
Trust remains a significant obstacle: nearly half of respondents said they do not trust digital currencies, while 43 per cent believe unclear in the provided context.
How people try to learn and what investors prioritise
In the absence of stronger formal education, many attempt to close the gap themselves. About 38 per cent said they rely on third-party websites to learn about finance, while others turn to friends, financial advisers, traditional news sources or social media. More than three-quarters of survey respondents said financial education should play a larger role in schools. Twenty-eight per cent believe they would feel more confident investing if they had received stronger financial instruction earlier in life, and 56 per cent said they wish they were more financially savvy.
Among those who do invest, Aviva polling showed priorities that drive decision-making: 49 per cent cited rate of return or growth as among the most important factors, 39 per cent emphasised low fees and costs, and 32 per cent considered individual risk tolerance. Other considerations included the reputation of a financial institution (28 per cent), past performance record (22 per cent), and tax relief (18 per cent).
Industry responses and messages on getting started
Aviva has launched a campaign described as designed to "shine a light on investments" to give people confidence and support on investing. Donato Boccardi, head of investments, consumer wealth at Aviva, said investing plays a vital role in helping people grow wealth over the long term and that the campaign aims to help more consumers benefit. He outlined a regulated, long-term approach intended to deliver balanced outcomes and urged that starting small and building gradually can make meaningful progress; the focus is on providing tools, confidence and support to take the first step and to stay invested for the future.
Kevan Edgerton, UK country director at Bitpanda UK, framed the issue as one of urgent need for clearer, more accessible financial guidance in a world where technology is advancing and people look to diversify their finances; he said the advice available can be confusing and hard to follow.
Public-facing friction and an odd verification note
The broader reporting environment includes minor friction for readers: one page in the coverage displayed the message "We're verifying your browser. You'll be redirected shortly. "
What’s next: survey respondents and industry players point to clearer education, more accessible guidance and practical, small-step approaches as immediate priorities. Details on program rollouts and policy responses were unclear in the provided context.
