Australian cryptocurrency adoption has reached a record 33%, with the share of users spending crypto on goods and services doubling from 6% to 12%, according to the 2026 Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index, an annual survey of more than 2,000 Australians conducted between January 12 and January 30.

The findings suggest a growing number of Australians view crypto as a practical payment method rather than purely a speculative instrument. Among those who used crypto for purchases, 21% reported using it for online shopping, while 16% said they used it for services including freelancing and video game transactions.

Banking Barriers Continue to Grow

Despite the gains in adoption, friction with traditional financial institutions is…