Web Search Data Indicates Soaring Interest for Facebook Libra in China

China has emerged as a perhaps surprising leader when it comes to public interest in Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency project.

AccessTimeIconJul 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 11:12 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

With Facebook's recently unveiled Libra cryptocurrency high in the news agenda across the world in recent weeks, China has emerged as a perhaps surprising leader when it comes to public interest in the project.

While cryptocurrency use is banned in the country, as is Facebook itself, searches for "Libra" on the nation's web search giant Weibo are soaring at press time.

While the top two hottest search trends address a Chinese film celebrity's jealous children and the first movement of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic Mona Lisa painting outside the Louvre since 2005, Libra searches are currently ranking in third place, and were in second place previously.

weibo-libra-no3-search-trend

The regional fascination in Facebook's proposed stablecoin – which is intended to provide a means of payment initially, but could expand to other use cases in time – is also backed up by a look at Google Trends data.

Google's data on people looking for information on "Facebook Libra," which peaked around the time of Facebook's June 18 white paper launch, indicates that China is the number one ranked nation for that search term. Also surprisingly, the U.S. is down at number 14 on that list.

libra-search-map

It should be added that Google is officially blocked in China, but enough people appear to be sidestepping that block to register significant searches for Facebook's token.

While the growing concerns from global regulators have also dominated headlines in recent days, Google searches for "Facebook Libra regulation" are currently too low to indicate regional preferences.

Curiously, even though Libra may not see launch to the public for a year or more, plenty of people are searching for "Facebook Libra price," with Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa registering most searches for that term.

libra-price-search-map

Overall, though, interest in Facebook's token pales into insignificance when compared to bitcoin, which, when compared on Google trends, appears an almost flat blue line dominated by the massive interest in the top cryptocurrency by market value.

btc-vs-libra-graph

Facebook Libra and China flag image via Shutterstock; charts via Google Trends and Weibo

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.


Read more about