The analysis, which safeguards individual privacy, provides an averaged summary of trading activities and total holdings, effectively creating a hypothetical profile of the ‘average user’ wallet. This approach offers a macro-level view of how Australians engage with the crypto market, highlighting certain tendencies that set them apart from global trends.
Bitcoin & Ethereum Traders Dominate Activity
Bitcoin remains a staple in the portfolios of Australian Kraken users, with 36.70% holding at least some BTC, slightly higher than the global average of 34.33%. Despite this widespread ownership, the value of Bitcoin holdings in Australian portfolios is notably less significant compared to the global average. The average BTC balance in an Australian wallet stands at $17,409, which is considerably lower than the global average of $29,830.
In contrast, Ethereum holds a more substantial position in Australian portfolios. In 2025, ETH comprises 33.17% of the average Australian wallet, a stark contrast to the global (excluding Australia) ratio of 19.08%. This trend suggests that Australian investors may favour Ethereum’s potential for smart contracts and decentralised applications over Bitcoin’s more traditional store of value.
One possible explanation for these trends is the higher concentration of professional traders in Australia compared to other regions where Kraken operates. The average trade size for the BTC/USD pair from Australia is the largest globally among any BTC trading pairs, with significant trade volumes exceeding $1 billion annually.
Solana Rising, but Older Altcoins Fall
Solana has gained more traction in Australia than elsewhere, with 13.79% of Australian users holding SOL compared to 11.93% globally. Kraken responded to this demand by launching its SOL/AUD trading pair in June 2024, which has since become a particularly active trading pair. Solana’s recent successes have bolstered its popularity in the Australian market.
In contrast, older altcoins like XRP and Cardano have seen a decline in prominence within Australian wallets. Only 17.55% of Australian users hold XRP, compared to 20.20% globally, while Cardano is held by 9.45% of Australian users versus 12.45% globally. This data suggests that Australian investors are more inclined to rebalance their portfolios away from older altcoins, embracing newer ecosystems like Solana more swiftly than their global counterparts.
Australia Remains the Global Capital of Memecoins
A consistent theme in Kraken’s Australian analysis is the stronger adoption of smaller and newer tokens compared to the global average. Australia has emerged as a “capital” for memecoins, with a higher proportion of users holding tokens like WIF (0.99% of AU users vs 0.60% globally), PEPE (3.29% vs 3.04%), BONK (1.32% vs 1.10%), and the humorously named FARTCOIN (0.43% vs 0.27%).
Beyond memecoins, other niche tokens also show above-average adoption in Australia, including SUI, SEI, SPX, WAL, NODL, JUP, FLOW, ZEUS, RAY, and ENA. This trend underscores the Australian appetite for altcoins and new market entrants.
Jonathon Miller, Managing Director of Kraken Australia and Rest of World, commented on these findings, emphasising Australia’s dynamic market. “Australia continues to be one of our most dynamic markets, with both professional traders and consumers being more active and adventurous participants in crypto than we see in other regions Kraken operates,” he said. Miller highlighted the enduring Aussie Larrikin spirit reflected in local crypto portfolios, noting that Australian investors are not merely following global trends but are also eager to explore innovative opportunities. He affirmed Kraken’s commitment to adapting its offerings to meet this appetite for both established and emerging cryptocurrencies.
