Liverpool emerges as top UK city for crypto as digital habits shift

Liverpool has become the most crypto-savvy city in the UK, according to a new digital behaviour survey by Openreach. The study , released to mark the 25th anniversary of Britain’s first home broadband connection, reveals regional variations in how the British public engages with the internet. While online habits continue to evolve across cities, Liverpool has taken the lead in digital finance, with 13% of its population regularly investing in cryptocurrencies and checking stock prices—more than any other city in the country. Crypto adoption highest in Liverpool at 13% The Openreach report identifies Liverpool as the UK’s leading hub for cryptocurrency activity. According to the data, 13% of Liverpudlians are active in the crypto space, either trading or monitoring digital assets. This makes it the top city for crypto engagement, surpassing major urban centres like London and Manchester. Sheffield leads in TikTok and music streaming, with 32% and 30% usage While Liverpool is driving financial engagement online, Sheffield is charting its own digital course. The city has the highest share of TikTok users in the country at 32%, and also leads in music streaming, with 30% of residents using music streaming platforms. Notably, Sheffield households are spending more time online than any other UK city. Around 32% of homes in Sheffield report daily online usage exceeding five hours. This figure significantly exceeds the national average and contrasts with Brighton, where only 11% of people report similar online time. The study found that across Britain, the average person spends about three-and-a-half hours online each day. However, 20% admit to going well beyond five hours. Overnight internet use is also common, with 64% of respondents saying they’re online between 11 pm and 6 am—YouTube being the most visited site during those hours, especially by younger users. Manchester dominates Instagram, while Leeds sticks with Facebook The northern tech trend continues in Manchester, where 27% of the population actively uses Instagram—the highest rate in the country. The city shows a preference for visual platforms and content-sharing networks, marking it as a stronghold for image-driven social interaction. Meanwhile, in Leeds, digital preferences lean more towards traditional platforms. The city recorded the highest Facebook usage across the UK, with 43% of residents saying they frequently spend time on the platform. The preference for Facebook in Leeds stands in contrast to the increasing use of newer social platforms elsewhere in the north. London, by contrast, emerged as the UK’s dating app capital, with 24% of its population using platforms like Tinder or Bumble at least three times a week. This is well above the national average, which stands at just 4% for dating app engagement. Survey highlights digital fatigue among UK residents Despite increased internet use, the study revealed growing concerns about digital well-being. Approximately 43% of people feel they waste time online, while 37% are troubled by how often they “doom-scroll” hours on the internet. Another 33% said they believed they would be more relaxed if they spent less time using digital devices. The research was commissioned by Openreach to coincide with a significant milestone in UK broadband history—the first home broadband installation, which occurred in April 2000 in Basildon, Essex. Since then, internet access has become ubiquitous, shaping everything from financial behaviour to leisure time. Katie Milligan, Deputy CEO of Openreach, noted that while digital connectivity has become integral to modern life, it is encouraging that users are also recognising the need for balance. The post Liverpool emerges as top UK city for crypto as digital habits shift appeared first on Invezz

Source: Invezz