Cornell Survey Reveals Global Bitcoin Trust Score Averaging Just 4.67/10 - Here’s Why That’s Bullish

Global Trust in Bitcoin Hits 4.67/10 - And Traders Are Loving It

The Skeptic's Paradise

Cornell's latest research shows institutional trust sitting at a lukewarm 4.67 out of 10 worldwide. That number would terrify traditional assets - but Bitcoin's never played by traditional rules.

While legacy finance frets over perfect trust scores, crypto's building the future with or without their approval. The 4.67 rating actually represents massive progress from the 2/10 skepticism levels we saw just three years ago.

Adoption doesn't wait for perfect report cards - it bypasses gatekeepers and cuts out middlemen. The score proves we're still early, while the climbing trendline shows we're winning.

Traditional finance would need a 9.5/10 trust score just to get out of bed in the morning - no wonder they're missing the digital revolution.

Regional trust differences

The survey, spanning 25 countries, highlights notable regional variations.

Nigeria leads with the highest bitcoin trust levels, while Japan ranks at the bottom.

Across all countries, Bitcoin is perceived as riskier than traditional assets such as gold, real estate, and major fiat currencies, as shown in comparative risk assessments.

Government and institutional trust

In ten countries—including Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela—respondents expressed greater trust in Bitcoin than in their own national governments.

These nations are primarily emerging markets or face political instability.

Conversely, countries like the UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia showed much higher trust in their governments compared to Bitcoin.

Survey participants consistently rated Bitcoin as riskier than stocks or bonds.

However, 45% of respondents viewed Bitcoin as equally risky as stocks, and 43% saw it on par with corporate bonds, suggesting a perception of Bitcoin as a volatile asset class.

Responses regarding Bitcoin’s fraud reduction, privacy, and trust in service providers were largely neutral, indicating uncertainty about its practical benefits.

Link to financial stress and adoption

The data reveal that countries experiencing higher financial stress—such as Turkey, India, Kenya, and South Africa—report increased Bitcoin adoption rates.

In contrast, nations like El Salvador, Switzerland, China, and Italy showed lower financial stress alongside reduced interest in Bitcoin.

Mexico, Italy, and Japan ranked lowest in both financial stress and Bitcoin adoption.

Uncertainty remains

Overall, the survey suggests that Bitcoin’s global appeal is shaped by local economic pressures and levels of trust in institutions.

The findings highlight uncertainty, rather than outright skepticism, characterizing the global public’s view of Bitcoin’s utility.