BaFin Survey Exposes Crypto-Knowledge Gaps Among German Investors
Germany's financial regulator BaFin has released a survey on crypto-assets knowledge among investors. The survey, conducted in April 2026, found that despite having more knowledge about crypto-assets than non-investors, owners of Bitcoin and Ether still got almost every third question wrong.
The study measured the knowledge gaps among crypto investors by asking sixteen questions to over a thousand respondents. The results showed that around 36% of answers were correct, while 19% were incorrect, and 45% admitted they didn't know the answer. This suggests that nearly half of the population lacks confidence in judging crypto-assets.
Among owners themselves, the picture is different. They answered 57% of questions correctly but got 31% wrong. The regulator noted that an investor who admits to not knowing something tends to seek advice or avoid making a decision, whereas someone who mistakenly assumes they know what they're doing may not take these precautions.
The survey highlighted four common misconceptions among crypto-asset owners: inflation protection, price stability, stablecoins as savings products, and classification. For instance, 54% of respondents believed that Bitcoin's supply cap protects against inflation, which the regulator classifies as an error. They also found that many owners consider stablecoins suitable for building wealth, despite their value being tied to a reference asset.
The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the function and risks associated with holding crypto-assets, particularly in relation to short-term goals and price volatility. BaFin's expert Ruth Burkert noted in an interview that investors should be aware of the differences between trading venues and hardware wallets when securing their assets.