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Against all odds, a new study reveals an unexpected picture of bitcoin holders in the United States. Long perceived as activists of a particular ideology, these individuals demonstrate a more nuanced and diverse reality.
An unexpected ideological diversity
Researchers Andrew Perkins from Washington State University and Troy Cross from Reed College recently published the results of a study on the factors influencing the ownership of bitcoin in the United States. “What we discovered was really our most surprising result,” Cross wrote on Twitter. It reveals that contrary to expectations, bitcoin adoption does not significantly lean towards political right-wing ideologies or libertarianism.
The study, involving 3,538 people, shows that there is no significant correlation between political orientation and bitcoin ownership. Like Americans in general, bitcoin holders are found across the entire political spectrum, though they tend to position themselves as moderates.
Young, male, and moderate: the profile of a bitcoin holder
Beyond political affiliations, the report sheds light on the demographic characteristics of bitcoin owners. They are primarily young and male, which distinguishes them from the general American population. But what makes them particularly interesting is their value system. Bitcoin owners present a unique profile when it comes to values.
The study uses moral foundations theory to analyze their values and finds that they value cultural freedom and equality more than the average conservative or liberal. They align with conservatives on issues of purity, loyalty, and proportionality, and with liberals on issues of care.
The results also indicate that very liberal respondents are the most likely to own bitcoin, with 21.9% ownership, compared to 17.6% for very conservatives and 14.3% for moderates. However, researchers emphasize that these differences are not statistically significant to indicate a strong political trend.
In summary, this study highlights the diversity and complexity of bitcoin holders. Its results challenge common stereotypes and provide a new perspective on the intersection of technology and politics. Bitcoin holders in the United States are not members of a particular political tribe. Rather, they are Americans who have taken the time to study the technology and have formed positive attitudes towards it.
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Graduated from Sciences Po Toulouse and holder of a blockchain consultant certification issued by Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of the potential of blockchain to transform many sectors of the economy, I committed to raising awareness and informing the general public about this ever-evolving ecosystem. My goal is to enable everyone to better understand blockchain and seize the opportunities it offers. Every day, I strive to provide an objective analysis of the news, decipher market trends, relay the latest technological innovations, and put the economic and societal issues of this ongoing revolution into perspective.
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.