Factors Affecting Investment in Cryptocurrencies Among University Students in Kurdistan: An Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action

This study investigates the factors influencing university students’ intentions to invest in cryptocurrency in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The target population for this research comprised 345 students enrolled in four private universities across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The collected findings were analysed using a structural equation modelling approach. The results reveal that perceived risk has a significant positive effect on both intentions to invest in cryptocurrency and attitudes towards cryptocurrency use. Perceived ease of use and usefulness also significantly impact. Subjective norms and trust significantly influence attitudes towards cryptocurrency use but their direct effect on intentions to invest in cryptocurrency is insignificant. Finally, attitudes towards cryptocurrency use have a significant direct impact on intentions to invest in cryptocurrency. The findings also demonstrate that university students’ attitudes toward cryptocurrency mediate the relationships between perceived risk, perceived ease of use, usefulness, subjective norms and trust, which underscores the importance of understanding how students form their attitudes towards cryptocurrencies. Educational institutions should implement robust financial literacy campaigns that emphasize both the potential benefits and significant risks of cryptocurrency investments. Cryptocurrency platforms should focus on clear and transparent communication of both the risks and benefits associated with cryptocurrency use.