The topic of cryptocurrency has gained significant attention in 2022. Therefore, it is not surprising that mentioning “crypto” in an online dating profile might attract additional interest.
A recent study conducted by brokerage firm eToro revealed that 33% of surveyed Americans would be more inclined to go on a date with someone who includes mentions of crypto assets in their online dating profile. Out of the 2,000 adult residents surveyed in the United States, between the ages of 18 and 99, over 40% of men and 25% of women expressed a stronger interest in a potential date when crypto was mentioned in the profile.
Crypto: Intersecting with love
Callie Cox, a U.S. investment analyst at eToro, shared with Cointelegraph that the results from eToro’s first “Crypto & Culture” survey showcase the connection between money, culture, and identity. Cox emphasized the significance of identity within the crypto community and how it plays a role in relationships and major life choices. Regarding the survey findings, Cox highlighted that 33% of respondents were open to dating someone who references crypto in their profile as it signifies a connection between money, love, and identity in the pursuit of a partner through dating apps.
Furthermore, Cox found it intriguing that almost 74% of survey participants mentioned their willingness to go on a second date with an individual who paid for the first date using Bitcoin (BTC). This statistic reflects the evolving attitudes towards using crypto as a form of currency, highlighting its role in shaping personal identity.
While the study suggests that individuals who are open about their crypto ownership may attract more attention on dating apps, there is a dual perspective within the crypto community about these revelations.
For example, Hailey Lennon, a law partner at Anderson Kill and the founder of Crypto Connect, shared her experience with integrating “Bitcoin” into her dating profile. Lennon acknowledged that while it may spark interest from like-minded individuals, there are challenges in ensuring conversations do not solely revolve around crypto. Some individuals, Lennon pointed out, still hold misconceptions about cryptocurrency’s associations with illicit activities, making it necessary to navigate these discussions carefully.
The crypto community and the world of online dating
Despite the potential allure of crypto references in dating profiles, some members of the crypto community have encountered complexities.
Hailey Lennon and Ivan Perez, the owner of a crypto-focused PR firm, highlighted the challenges of engaging in romantic interactions that revolve solely around crypto-related discussions. While shared interests can initially create connections, they emphasized the importance of diversifying conversation topics to maintain a balance between personal and professional interests.
Moreover, Jessica Salama, a community lead at GoodDollar Foundation, shared her experiences of increased visibility on dating platforms by incorporating crypto-related details in her profile. Although this led to more matches, she also faced instances of condescension from individuals unfamiliar with the blockchain industry, indicating the existing gender dynamics within the crypto space.
NFTs: Personalized expressions in the digital era
Alongside the discussion of crypto and dating, eToro’s study revealed that 8% of respondents expressed interest in receiving a nonfungible token (NFT) as a Valentine’s Day gift. This finding reflects the growing trend of NFTs in the market, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, who value identity-driven products that reflect their personalities.
The popularity of NFTs underscores a shift towards personalized digital assets that hold significance in both physical and virtual realms, shaping individual identities and expressions.
This year, there are a variety of identity-themed Valentine’s Day NFTs available. One example is a limited edition collection by MYKA, a jewelry designer, consisting of digital drawings on three of their popular jewelry pieces.
The vice president of global marketing at MYKA, Ronnie Elgavish, mentioned to Cointelegraph that he anticipates more couples will be giving NFTs as Valentine’s Day gifts this year, attributed to the growing popularity of the Metaverse and the desire for a digital identity.
Ivan Sokolov, the founder of Mintmade, a platform that provides customizable NFT templates, agrees with Elgavish. He predicted that more couples will be exchanging tokenized Valentine’s Day cards this year. Sokolov explained that Mintmade enables users to create a pair of personalized NFTs with their and their partner’s names on them. Users can easily generate these NFTs by entering the names on the platform.
In addition to NFT gifts for Valentine’s Day, a study by eToro found that nearly 20% of singles are more inclined to date someone if they use an NFT as their profile picture on a social platform or dating site. Cox jokingly suggested that if the gift of an NFT doesn’t work out, it could help in finding a new date in March.
Despite the allure of cryptocurrency in the dating world, safety concerns should not be overlooked. While incorporating crypto-related terms into online dating profiles may increase attractiveness, it’s essential to prioritize safety in a space where protecting one’s crypto assets is crucial, especially given the growth of crypto-related crimes.
Justin Maile, from Chainalysis, emphasized the significance of being cautious about publicly mentioning cryptocurrency ownership to avoid becoming a target for scammers. He warned that scams are prevalent across various platforms beyond dating apps, including social media sites like Meta (Facebook), LinkedIn, and others. Maile recommended against disclosing specific details about crypto holdings, likening it to safeguarding personal financial information.
Furthermore, Cox highlighted that while indicating an interest in crypto can help define one’s identity in online dating spaces, users should exercise discretion in revealing information and interact with caution due to the presence of both positive and malicious actors online.
