Mastercard survey: “interest in using cryptocurrencies is growing”

About 40% of participants in the survey of payment giant Mastercard said they plan to use cryptocurrency next year. Millennials have expressed the greatest interest in cryptoassets.

Mastercard has released preliminary market research data on the growth of interest in cryptocurrencies. The online survey conducted by the company was attended by 15,569 people from eighteen countries. About 40% of respondents said they plan to use cryptocurrency next year.

Among millennials, interest in cryptocurrencies is even higher: 67% said they are more inclined to use cryptoassets than a year ago. About 77% said they are interested in getting more information, and 75% say they will use cryptocurrency if they better understand how it works.

Research team Harris Poll and Mastercard conducted the survey from February 26 to March 10, interviewing consumers in four regions: North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa and Asia Pacific.

Five of the eighteen countries had at least 500 respondents and at least 1,000 in the remaining thirteen. The press release from Mastercard does not explain why Europe was not included in the survey, which also asked questions about payments using biometrics and QR codes.

“There is still a need to ensure consumer choice and protection and regulatory compliance,” Mastercard said in a press release about the possibility of adding cryptocurrency support in the future.

In April, it became known that Mastercard is studying smart contracts and other tools that could be used to empower central banks’ digital currencies. In addition, Gemini has partnered with Mastercard to issue a credit card with the ability to receive cashback in cryptocurrencies.