Independent nationally representative study finds that

71% of citizens of the United Kingdom have heard of Bitcoin.



Of those who have heard of Bitcoin, when seeking advice on the digital currency, 28% would turn to a financial advisor, 16% would turn to an accountant, 12% would turn to a lawyer, and 35% would turn to someone certified by the Digital Currency Council.





NEW YORK/LONDON (November 19, 2014) – In light of the call from the government of the United Kingdom for information on Bitcoin, the Digital Currency Council (DCC) has today released a study of a nationally representative sample of citizens of the United Kingdom. The study, known as the “Bitcoin Barometer” (#BitcoinBarometer) is the first in a series of independent studies examining the sentiment of UK citizens toward Bitcoin that has been planned by the Digital Currency Council.



Key findings include:



• Awareness of Bitcoin is high, with 71% of respondents having heard of the digital currency (compared with 99% who are aware of Paypal and 37% who are aware of Square)

• Bitcoin continues to have a reputation problem; with 24% of respondents noting it has a “fair” or “very bad” reputation and just 13% noting it has a “very good” or “excellent” reputation.

• Bitcoin’s biggest challenges for future adoption are perceived to revolve around adoption and communications, with:

o 45% noting a lack of places to spend bitcoin

o 40% noting a lack of consumer use of bitcoin

o 38% noting difficulty in understanding how Bitcoin works

o 38% noting the public perception of Bitcoin

o 37% noting a lack of understanding of the benefits of Bitcoin

o 29% noting Bitcoin’s association with criminality

• Of those who are aware of Bitcoin, when seeking advice on the digital currency:

o 28% would turn to a financial advisor

o 16% would turn to an accountant

o 12% would turn to a lawyer

o 35% would turn to someone certified by the Digital Currency Council



Barry Silbert, who has invested in over 40 Bitcoin companies across the globe and is the Founder & CEO of the Digital Currency Group, noted, “As I'm considering investments into Bitcoin companies across the globe, I am not only considering the business and strength of the team, but also the regulatory environment and professional ecosystem that is supporting that team. This study highlights the critical importance of accountants, lawyers, and financial advisors to the emerging Bitcoin economy.”



David Berger, CEO of the Digital Currency Council, noted, “This study demonstrates the strong demand for the support of lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors in the rapidly growing Bitcoin economy. While grounded in a breakthrough technology, the future of Bitcoin rests on the commitment of these professionals to get trained so they may competently fulfill the demand for their services. If digital currency adoption continues to grow as it has been, these professionals will play a criti