Bitcoin is going mainstream Stateside, Coinbase report

US crypto exchange Coinbase has released a report looking at "the growing interest in cryptocurrencies on the part of Americans, on a state-by-state level".

The research, which involved 2,000 participants, found that 58% of Americans have heard of Bitcoin. Over the past year, more people searched on Google for Bitcoin than the royal wedding or election results. To date, more than 70% of US states have enacted legislation that addresses cryptocurrency or blockchain. Whilst the top 10 US states for percentage of the population that owns crypto are: California, New Jersey, Washington, New York, Colorado, Utah, Florida, Alaska, Nevada, and Massachusetts.

“The most appealing thing about crypto and Bitcoin to me is the idea of a worldwide currency, that it can cross borders without having to factor in exchange rates or high transfer fees or long delays,” says Christopher, a 26-year-old small business owner in New Jersey. “Say I want to move to another country someday? My cryptocurrency would automatically come with me. My whole journey is not a get-rich idea. I just really believe in crypto and want the technology to succeed.”

Sign up for our free retail technology newsletter here.