A recent study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of ING Bank reveals how cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are perceived across Europe, Australia and the U.S.

The ING International Survey Mobile Banking 2018 was conducted on nearly 15,000 people across Europe, the USA and Australia.

According to survey results, 66 percent of European respondents said that they have heard of cryptocurrencies. The figure stands at 57 percent in the U.S. and 70 percent in Australia, respectively. However, when asked if they own some cryptocurrency, only 9 percent of Europeans, 7 percent of Australians, and 8 percent of Americans respectively, answered “yes.”

Furthermore, 25 percent of European respondents, 15 percent of Australians, and 21 percent of U.S. respondents said that they expect to own cryptocurrency in the future.

However, the report also reveals that 40-49 percent Europeans do not want to change how they make payments for everyday transactions, and 47 percent do not want to receive their take-home pay in cryptos.

The respondents, who have heard of, own or expect to own Bitcoin, were also asked whether they view cryptocurrency investments as more risky to investing in stock markets, real estate, government bonds, gold, etc. The survey revealed:

“Most respondents indicate they perceive cryptocurrency as a riskier investment than cash, gold, real estate, government bonds, investing in your own business, or the share market.”