According to a poll conducted by YouGov, a professional research and consulting firm, 70% of a representative sample of 1,000 American residents had never heard of Bitcoin.

YouGov found that men were nearly twice as aware of the digital currency as were women, younger people were more aware than were older people, and awareness was highly correlated with both education and income.

Respondents who indicated they were aware of Bitcoin where further asked what they thought it was. The answers were multiple choice, randomized, and respondents were told to check all answers that applied:

• A virtual currency (82%)

• An online payment system (35%)

• A way to transfer money anonymously (25%)

• Something you use in a slot machine (0%)

• A small coin (3%)

• A payment system for hackers (8%)

• Other (0%)

• Not sure (9%)

Of the respondents who said they were aware of Bitcoin, 2% said they have used it. Of those polled who expressed awareness of Bitcoin, 10% said they planned on using the virtual currency in the future.

Photo credit: YouGov.co.uk’s Press Office section