Blockchain Stalls in Germany as AI Adoption Surges, Survey Reveals
A recent survey conducted by the Hanseatic Blockchain Institute, drawing on data from the Ifo economic survey, paints a stark picture of technological adoption in Germany. While artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of business operations, blockchain technology struggles to gain a foothold.
The data shows minimal adoption of blockchain technology in German companies. In 2023, only 3.2% of surveyed companies reported using blockchain, a figure that slightly decreased to 3.1% in 2024. While there was a slight uptick in companies planning to adopt blockchain, rising from 3.7% in 2023 to 4.1% in 2024, this modest increase does little to offset the overwhelming majority of businesses that consider the technology irrelevant. 72.6% of companies in 2024 declared blockchain “no topic,” a figure only marginally lower than the 74.5% recorded in 2023.
Das #W3NOW Projekt, gefördert vom @BMWK, hatte das Ziel, die #Blockchain-Adoption in Deutschland zu erforschen. Im Zentrum stand die Frage, wie stark Blockchain-Technologien tatsächlich in der Wirtschaft genutzt werden? Mehr Info: https://t.co/9A3tLcTn6E Epic. @llV0McEiDh — Hanseatic Blockchain Institute (HBI) (@Blockchain_HH) March 20, 2025
Financial Services Leads Blockchain Adoption
Sector-specific analysis reveals similar trends. In the service sector, 76% of companies found blockchain irrelevant in 2024, while in retail, the figure reached over 80%. Conversely, the financial services sector stands out as a key adopter, with 57% of blockchain-using companies implementing the technology (n=111). Digital identities also show promise, with 30% of blockchain users having implemented related solutions.
AI and Cloud Computing Adoption Rates Show Notable Growth in Germany
In stark contrast to blockchain, the adoption of AI has seen explosive growth. The percentage of companies implementing AI doubled within a year, surging from 13.3% in 2023 to 27% in 2024. Similarly, the proportion of businesses planning to integrate AI rose dramatically from 9.2% to 18%. Perhaps most telling is the sharp decline in companies dismissing AI as irrelevant, dropping from 40.8% to 21.2%. Meanwhile, cloud computing remains the most pervasive technology, with 46.5% of companies utilizing it in 2023, far outpacing both blockchain and AI.
The Complexities of Blockchain Adoption
The survey findings also pointed to several factors hindering wider blockchain adoption. The complexity and perceived uncertainty of the technology, coupled with a risk-averse business culture, contribute to its slow uptake. Public perception, often tainted by associations with volatile cryptocurrencies, further complicates matters. The blockchain oracle problem – the inability of blockchains to access external data, the difficulty of authenticating data on the blockchain, and the lack of skilled workers are also significant hurdles.
Despite these challenges, the survey identifies promising areas for blockchain application. The financial services sector, with its already established use of the technology, shows its maturity and potential. Digital identities, driven by the need for secure identity management, also offer a growth opportunity. The Hanseatic Blockchain Institute sees the need for targeted education and training, collaborative partnerships, and government support to accelerate blockchain adoption.
In addition, the study calls for Germany and Europe to prioritize data sovereignty and to continue researching the long-term implications of the technology, especially in light of new EU regulations such as the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation. According to Moritz Schildt, chairman of the Hanseatic Blockchain Institute, technological innovation does not guarantee automatic adoption. He stated that “the advantages and potentials of a new technology do not spread automatically,” adding:
“The replacement of proven processes with something new is not a given, and in many cases, with the emergence of new technical possibilities, it is not yet foreseeable when exactly and how exactly the new technology will be adopted, in which areas and for which tasks it will prove useful, and in what form a ‘mass adoption,’ i.e., widespread use, will develop.”