Tag: Majority

  • Survey Finds Majority of Saudis Aware, but Only a Few Invest in Crypto

    Survey Finds Majority of Saudis Aware, but Only a Few Invest in Crypto

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    YouGov’s latest survey released on Monday indicates that digital banking has become increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia. According to the survey, nine out of ten respondents (91%) say that they prefer online banking. Furthermore, 86% of respondents have even shown intention to switch to digital-only banking methods in the future.

    The data from YouGov’s latest survey indicates that in Saudi Arabia, crypto coins have generated a significant amount of awareness. More than three-quarters of residents (77%) claim to be aware of the new asset class.

    Although awareness about cryptocurrency is high, only 18% currently trade in such assets. Young adults between 25-34 years is the main group dealing in  cryptocurrencies  . The survey shows that 25% of young adults are investing in such virtual assets. However, 37% of older adults aged 45+ appears hesitant and don’t intend to deal with such an asset class.

    Additionally, the poll shows that the popularity of crypto is among high-income households (earning SAR 30,000+). High-income earners are more likely than others to invest in crypto assets.

    Despite the small number of active crypto investors in the country, the future of such digital assets looks promising. More than a third (34%) of the surveyed respondents who are aware of crypto said they intend to invest in them. The idea of investing in the new asset class appears more appealing to men than women (36% vs 30%).

    As per the survey, the key motivation for most Saudi Arabian residents, who either invest or intend to invest in crypto, is the easy accessibility of such assets for trading (49%). High returns compared to other investments are the second motivator among these residents (43%). The study shows that 45+ adults have a higher interest in investing in crypto to get higher returns.

    Many residents invest in crypto to diversify their portfolio (38%) because they regard it as a secure transparent long-term investment option.

    Although people are motivated to invest in cryptos, many others are discouraged from investing in such virtual assets. Almost 2 in 5 Saudi Arabia residents (37%) consider the volatility and instability of the crypto market as the major reason that discourages them from investing. Religious beliefs (15%) and cybersecurity threats (13%) are among other reasons that deter them from investing in such assets.

    Ambitions to Become a Fintech Hub

    Saudi citizens are ranked third in the Arab world in terms of individuals owning cryptos. There is a total of 453,000 Saudi residents who own this type of digital asset. Egypt ranked first in the Arab world with its population investing in cryptos standing at 1.8 million. Morocco comes in second with 878,000 residents investing in cryptocurrencies.

    The fintech sector in Saudi Arabia is booming. In the last few years, Saudi Arabia has expanded its efforts to attract crypto firms. The Saudi Central Bank and Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates have been collaborating together to learn how they can adopt blockchain and digital payments.

    Saudi Arabia intends to become an international financial center. Authorities are positioning cryptocurrency to be part of that. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a safe harbour for crypto companies. The official stamp of approval is beginning to show results. As a result, big pools of capital are becoming interested in crypto. The nation has witnessed a significant increase in  fintech  -related activities in the last 12 months.

    In Saudi Arabia, the emphasis on cryptocurrency is part of the nation’s Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and make the nation a hub of innovation.

    YouGov’s latest survey released on Monday indicates that digital banking has become increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia. According to the survey, nine out of ten respondents (91%) say that they prefer online banking. Furthermore, 86% of respondents have even shown intention to switch to digital-only banking methods in the future.

    The data from YouGov’s latest survey indicates that in Saudi Arabia, crypto coins have generated a significant amount of awareness. More than three-quarters of residents (77%) claim to be aware of the new asset class.

    Although awareness about cryptocurrency is high, only 18% currently trade in such assets. Young adults between 25-34 years is the main group dealing in  cryptocurrencies  . The survey shows that 25% of young adults are investing in such virtual assets. However, 37% of older adults aged 45+ appears hesitant and don’t intend to deal with such an asset class.

    Additionally, the poll shows that the popularity of crypto is among high-income households (earning SAR 30,000+). High-income earners are more likely than others to invest in crypto assets.

    Despite the small number of active crypto investors in the country, the future of such digital assets looks promising. More than a third (34%) of the surveyed respondents who are aware of crypto said they intend to invest in them. The idea of investing in the new asset class appears more appealing to men than women (36% vs 30%).

    As per the survey, the key motivation for most Saudi Arabian residents, who either invest or intend to invest in crypto, is the easy accessibility of such assets for trading (49%). High returns compared to other investments are the second motivator among these residents (43%). The study shows that 45+ adults have a higher interest in investing in crypto to get higher returns.

    Many residents invest in crypto to diversify their portfolio (38%) because they regard it as a secure transparent long-term investment option.

    Although people are motivated to invest in cryptos, many others are discouraged from investing in such virtual assets. Almost 2 in 5 Saudi Arabia residents (37%) consider the volatility and instability of the crypto market as the major reason that discourages them from investing. Religious beliefs (15%) and cybersecurity threats (13%) are among other reasons that deter them from investing in such assets.

    Ambitions to Become a Fintech Hub

    Saudi citizens are ranked third in the Arab world in terms of individuals owning cryptos. There is a total of 453,000 Saudi residents who own this type of digital asset. Egypt ranked first in the Arab world with its population investing in cryptos standing at 1.8 million. Morocco comes in second with 878,000 residents investing in cryptocurrencies.

    The fintech sector in Saudi Arabia is booming. In the last few years, Saudi Arabia has expanded its efforts to attract crypto firms. The Saudi Central Bank and Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates have been collaborating together to learn how they can adopt blockchain and digital payments.

    Saudi Arabia intends to become an international financial center. Authorities are positioning cryptocurrency to be part of that. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a safe harbour for crypto companies. The official stamp of approval is beginning to show results. As a result, big pools of capital are becoming interested in crypto. The nation has witnessed a significant increase in  fintech  -related activities in the last 12 months.

    In Saudi Arabia, the emphasis on cryptocurrency is part of the nation’s Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and make the nation a hub of innovation.

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  • Majority of Korean crypto exchanges to shut down this month, insiders say

    Majority of Korean crypto exchanges to shut down this month, insiders say

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    The deadline for South Korean crypto exchanges to meet new compliance requirements is looming fast, with all operators expected to submit requests for an official license with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) no later than Sept. 24.

    Industry actors and representatives for smaller exchanges have contested the new requirements for much of the past year, yet without success. Now insiders reportedly expect that close to 40 of the country’s estimated 60 crypto operators will be forced to shut down.

    The crux of their objection has been the obligation that all exchanges show evidence that they are operating using real-name accounts at South Korean banks. The FSC has justified by arguing that there is a high demand from customers for more protection for their assets held at smaller crypto platforms. Yet South Korea’s banks have, for the most part, refused to engage in any risk assessment process for applicant exchanges, except for the country’s top four trading platforms. 

    These four exchanges – Upbit, Bithumb, Korbit and Coinone – already account for over 90% of South Korea’s total traded volume, and experts have in recent months made the case that the FSC’s new framework is poised to further cement the country’s crypto space as a monopolized market.

    Moreover, estimates by Kim Hyoung-joong – a professor and head of the Cryptocurrency Research Center at Korea University – predict that the mass exchange closures will eliminate 42 “kimchi coins” – a moniker for smaller altcoins that are listed on smaller platforms and traded against the Korean won. Lee Chul-yi, head of local crypto exchange Foblgate, has told the Financial Times that:

    “A situation similar to a bank run is expected near the deadline as investors can’t cash out of their holdings of ‘alt-coins’ listed only on small exchanges. […] They will find themselves suddenly poor. I wonder if regulators can handle the side-effects.”

    Related: Regulations drive Korean exchanges to delist, warn against high risk coins

    With altcoins estimated to account for 90% of traded volume in South Korea’s crypto markets, the FSC has reportedly advised those exchange operators who expect to shut down to notify their clients no later than Sept. 17. Cho Yeon-haeng, president of Korea Finance Consumer Federation, has claimed that customer protection is unlikely to be the priority for those exchanges facing imminent closure and that “huge investor losses” are therefore expected due to the freezing of assets and suspension of trading on smaller platforms.

    The regulatory heat will also affect international exchange operators. Binance has already pre-emptively halted Korean won trading pairs this summer to ensure it does not foul Korean authorities.

    The new measures have been designed to curb Koreans’ enthusiasm for crypto trading amid concerns that retail investors, especially those from younger generations, are borrowing excessively in order to trade as they struggle with suppressed wages, a frozen job market and ever-rising real-estate prices.