The Gender Gap in 'Bitcoin Literacy'
General Information
Title
The Gender Gap in 'Bitcoin Literacy'
Author
Christina E. Bannier, Tobias Meyll, Florian Röder and Andreas Walter
Publication Type
Working paper
Outlet
BSFA Working Paper Series
Year
2018
Abstract
Using nationally representative US data, we show that women possess weaker knowledge regarding the characteristics of Bitcoin compared to men. Investigating the determinants driving this gap, we find that socio-demographics and personality traits explain only a small share of the gap. Adding measures for actual and perceived financial literacy explains approximately 40 percent of the gender gap in Bitcoin literacy. Experience with digital technology, in contrast, does not have additional explanatory power. Our results indicate that closing gender gaps in financial literacy is important, but safeguarding financial wellbeing in increasingly digitalized financial systems becomes ever more complex.