While The Beatles famously claimed that money can’t buy you love, it seems cryptocurrency might just buy you a place at the top of the digital charts—at least in Liverpool.
According to a recent nationwide survey by Openreach, the city has been named the crypto capital of the UK, with 13% of Liverpudlians actively investing in digital currencies and monitoring the stock market—more than any other city in Britain.
The study, commissioned to mark 25 years since the UK’s first home broadband installation in Basildon, Essex, offers a revealing glimpse into the UK’s digital behaviour by city.
Elsewhere in the country, Londoners are leading the charge in online dating, with 24% using dating apps at least three times a week—well above the national average of just 4%.
When it comes to general internet use, the typical Briton spends three-and-a-half hours online daily, though one in five admit to clocking in more than five hours.
A surprising 64% of respondents are browsing between 11 pm and 6 am, with YouTube proving a popular late-night destination.
Northern tech trends revealed a tale of three cities. Manchester is the UK’s top city for Instagram usage, with 27% of residents regularly scrolling through the app.
Meanwhile, Sheffield dominates in TikTok engagement and music streaming, with 32% and 30% of its population using these platforms frequently.
Sheffield also holds the title for heaviest daily internet usage, with nearly a third (32%) of residents spending over five hours online—compared to just 11% in Brighton.
Leeds appears to favour more nostalgic digital platforms, with 43% of locals still loyal to Facebook, making it the UK’s top city for usage of the platform once dubbed the king of social media.
Despite the digital boom, many Brits expressed discomfort about their online habits. Around 43% feel they waste time on the internet, 37% are concerned about excessive ‘doom-scrolling’, and 33% believe they’d feel more relaxed if they reduced screen time.
Openreach Deputy CEO Katie Milligan said: “It’s fascinating to see how different parts of the UK are embracing the online world and adapting to it in unique ways. At the same time, it’s encouraging that many recognise the importance of taking time away from devices and digital connectivity.”
As the UK continues to evolve digitally, these insights highlight not only the cities leading the charge online—but also the growing awareness of the need for digital balance in daily life.
