Cryptocurrency usage is evolving quickly, necessitating an overhaul in security measures to meet this change. Once dominated by tech-savvy early adopters and speculators, today’s crypto users come from all walks of life and the implications for security can be profound.
Who are now participating in crypto?
Recent analysis indicates that cryptocurrency ownership has expanded beyond young, affluent males in developed markets. For example, around 28 % of adults in 2025 in the U.S. owned cryptocurrency assets according to Security.org + JPMorgan Chase +2
CoinSwitch reports that in India, Gen Z (18-25) now accounts for 37.6 % of crypto investors – slightly outnumbering Millennials and slightly surpassing them as investors in crypto assets (The Economic Times).
Emerging markets across Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America have also witnessed adoption driven by practical applications like remittances, micropayments and financial inclusion. Within TradingView itself this phenomenon can be observed.
As this shift demonstrates, today’s “typical crypto user” might no longer be an experienced trader but someone using digital assets for everyday payments, cross-border transfers or first-time investments; therefore security strategies tailored for power users no longer suffice.
Why the old security model fails
Traditional crypto security assumptions were predicated on users understanding private keys, cold storage, self-custody risk and complex wallet management. But as user bases expand:
Many new users lack an understanding of basic crypto hygiene or self-custody risks.
Poorer regions with underdeveloped financial infrastructures could leave users vulnerable to phishing scams, misleading UX design and regulatory gaps.
Newer demographics may rely more heavily on mobile wallets, social platforms and peer-to-peer systems–each with unique risk profiles.
As a result, users face greater exposure to loss, scam and mis-execution, with one 2025 survey finding that 40% of crypto owners weren’t confident the technology is safe and secure. Security.org suggests a new security paradigm needs to emerge for cryptocurrency technologies in general and cryptocurrencies specifically.
For these shifting demographics, crypto security must evolve in several key ways:
User-centric design and education
Security tools should be user-centric to be accessible to non-experts. Wallets and platforms should include onboarding, clear warnings, built-in safeguards (e.g. multi-signature security protocols and recovery flows). Research into accessible wallets indicates that applying inclusive design reduces security mistakes among novice users. (This research can be found on arXiv).
Targeted Threat Models for Emerging Markets
Crypto is widely used as a banking alternative in emerging markets, where SIM swapping, mobile malware infections, social engineering attacks, and regulatory uncertainty all pose threats that need to be considered when designing security infrastructure. A desktop-only cold storage user will not necessarily face such dangers.
As more newcomers rely on custodial wallets or exchanges for cryptocurrency storage and trading, the burden of security falls on these platforms. Robust KYC/AML, geo-specific controls, fraud detection and transparency about asset protection become essential. Many users may delegate more responsibility for private key management to service providers than themselves.
Cross-Border Protections With growing adoption in Latin America, Africa and Asia of cryptocurrency platforms, protecting all users must include multiple languages as well as local regulatory compliance and scam protection measures that address specific regional scams. A security model developed exclusively for Western markets will miss local threat vectors that exist locally.
As the cryptocurrency industry matures, cultivating trust among new user bases will be of vital importance. That means fewer scare headlines and tangible security assurance such as user-friendly UX features, robust risk controls, recovery mechanisms that work as advertised and platforms designed for those unfamiliar with what a seed phrase means or its importance.
Conclusion Crypto’s changing demographics call for more than incremental fixes–they require a fundamental rethink of security assumptions. From first-time investors in India and India’s Gen Z population, to remittance senders in the Philippines or retail traders across Latin America–security must be accessible, inclusive, and tailored so it meets users at every point in their journeys with crypto. In the next chapter of cryptocurrency use it safely!
