- In 2026, 12% of Australians used crypto for goods and services, a significant rise from 6% in the previous year.
- Approximately 30% of investors faced banking delays or rejections when trying to buy crypto or fund exchange accounts.
- Online shopping was the leading real-world use case, cited by 21% of respondents who used crypto for payments.
- The report from Independent Reserve calls for clear licensing and regulation to resolve banking friction.
In January 2026, a new report by crypto exchange Independent Reserve reveals a surge in Australians using cryptocurrency for everyday payments. The annual survey, which polled 2,000 people, found the share of users doubled from the previous year, suggesting a shift toward viewing crypto as a practical payment method.
However, significant barriers persist despite this growing adoption. Banking interference emerged as a major obstacle, with 30% of investors reporting transaction delays or rejections compared to 19.3% in 2025.
Consequently, these issues disproportionately affect younger investors and those making smaller transactions. The report’s authors stated, “These interruptions affect both consumers and businesses, showing how cautious banks are with crypto when the rules aren’t clear.”
Meanwhile, online shopping was the most popular use case, utilized by 21% of those who paid with crypto. Another 16% reported using it for services like freelancing and video games.
The findings underscore a pressing need for regulatory clarity to resolve the persistent banking friction. “Clear licensing and regulation can help fix this,” the report concluded, noting it would give banks more confidence in transaction legitimacy.
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