Crypto Owners More Likely to Have Psychopathic Traits, Study Says

(Bloomberg) — If you’ve ever suspected that your crypto-obsessed friend might be a psychopath, you may be on to something.

Digital-asset holders tend to exhibit higher levels of “dark” personality traits such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism, according to a recent academic paper by researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Miami published in the journal PLOS One.

“The results presented here suggest that cryptocurrency ownership is associated with several nonnormative and arguably maladaptive characteristics,” the report said, adding that “individuals who had purchased crypto were, on average, more likely to believe conspiracy theories, support extremist groups, and share populist sentiments.”