Fewer people in the U.K. are holding crypto this year than last while the “typical value held by investors” increased, a report by the country's financial watchdog has found.

The drop means the number of people who own crypto fell from about 7 million last year to roughly 4.5 million this year. However, awareness of cryptocurrencies among the U.K. population remained at 91%, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said in its Cryptoassets Consumer Research 2025 report.

“Overall, the percentage of the U.K. adult population currently holding cryptoassets has declined from 12% in 2024 to 8% in 2025," the FCA said.

The findings were published as the FCA simultaneously commenced a consultation on proposed crypto rules under a new regulatory framework, as the regulator moves to expand oversight of the sector.

Despite the decline, the FCA noted that crypto ownership in the U.K. “is still double the proportion who reported they own cryptoassets in 2021”.

While the report found that fewer U.K. consumers now own crypto, those who remain invested appear to be holding larger amounts. About 21% said they hold between 1,001-5000 pounds ($1,345-$6,720).

The regulator found a shift toward higher average holdings, with the mean value per holder rising to just under $2,500, compared with last year’s $2,300. Crypto owned by people in the U.K. totaled $17.3 billion, according to an October report by the Financial Times.

Bitcoin BTC$87,169.17 and ether ETH$2,937.64 remain the most popular cryptocurrencies among U.K. holders, according to the FCA's research, with BTC held by around 70% of crypto investors and ETH by roughly 35%. Despite falling participation, investors continue to concentrate their exposure in the two largest digital assets.