According to recent data revealed by the analysis portal UsefulTulips, interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has grown exponentially in Africa in recent weeks, an interest driven by the current crisis due to COVID-19. Europe is not far behind either and in Spain interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow.

It is no secret to anyone the economic havoc that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing around the world. The same has forced many companies to close their doors and reduce their production levels. Effects that could cause a crisis of greater scope than those seen during the years 2008 and 2009, when the United States mortgage bubble collapsed, unleashing the 2008 Financial Crisis.

In several countries, and especially on the African continent, there is a noticeable growth in interest in the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. This was announced by Matt Ahlborg, creator of the analysis portal UsefulTulips, on his official Twitter account. When he published a couple of graphics which reflects the data analyzed by the portal on this continent. 

The charts show a rise in the use of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency, where around 14 million dollars were exchanged between users on this continent using peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms such as LocalBitcoins and Paxful. 

Likewise, in the analysis it can be observed that the country where there was the greatest number of transactions was Nigeria, with more than 9.2 million dollars mobilized in transactions. The countries of South Africa y Kenya, where a movement of more than 3.3 million dollars in transactions is reflected. Finally, there is Ghana, where Bitcoin users made transactions worth around $1 million with the cryptocurrency. 

Likewise, in other countries of the continent such as Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, among others, financial operations were also carried out with Bitcoin, although on a smaller scale. 

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Bitcoin is not only growing in Africa, but also in Asia and Europe

Other countries like India, South Korea, German y France have also seen a growing interest in the use and adoption of Bitcoin by society, as governments and central banks in these countries are taking financial measures to counter the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But these are measures that could have both positive and negative impacts on the economy of these countries and, therefore, on the finances of their inhabitants. Therefore, many users are beginning to see Bitcoin as a safer and more stable store of value than fiat money. And even more so now after the rise of the cryptocurrency, which has remained stable to a certain extent, exceeding $8.000 per unit. 

On the other hand, the volume of searches for Bitcoin on Google continues to predominate in this part of the planet. Therefore, many technology enthusiasts are turning their attention to these countries, where the opportunities for growth and development for cryptographic projects can be very promising.

Likewise, Paxful CEO Ray Yossef stated that the growing interest in Bitcoin that has emerged in this part of the planet, and especially in Africa, is something very positive. In response to this, Yossef stated:

«Africa is leading all our volumes at the moment. In the next 5 years, Africa, with its tremendous growth in trading volume, will become the leading continent for Bitcoin cryptocurrencies. It will grow in a way that no one can imagine. Moreover, with the onset of COVID-19, a tremendous explosion was observed»

Referring to the fact that Bitcoin has always maintained a close relationship with the countries of the African continent, where the largest cryptocurrency investors are located in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. 

Spain also shows a notable growth in the use of cryptocurrencies

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only causing uncertainty on the African continent, but in almost every country in the world. Therefore, in Spain, where the consequences of the pandemic can negatively affect society's finances, cryptocurrency users are placing a greater percentage of their trust in these crypto assets. 

In the second edition of the survey published by BitFlyer Europe It was revealed that the confidence of the European population has been increasing despite the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Now more than 66% of the people surveyed believe that cryptocurrencies will still exist after 10 years. This represents an increase of 3% compared to the data obtained previously in 2019. 

This survey is part of the annual research program that BitFlyer carries out during the month of March since 2019. It helps you to know the Crypto Confidence Index users have in cryptocurrencies. To carry it out, a sample of 1.000 people is taken in 10 European countries, including Spain. 

Thus, after analyzing the data from the second edition of the survey, it was estimated that Spain ranks third among countries with the highest confidence in crypto assets. Where 1 in 9 people interviewed are sure that cryptocurrencies will be an essential part of society in the future. 

Likewise, 60% of respondents also reported that The most widely used cryptocurrency in Spanish society is Bitcoin. And they have been actively using it for the purchase and sale of goods and services as a means of making good profits. This data also revealed that only 12% of users use this cryptocurrency as a means of payment to make their purchases.

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