January 22, 2026
India’s large and digitally native population is making the country the world’s biggest grassroots market for cryptocurrencies, according to Richard Teng, co chief executive officer of Binance. His remarks underline how India’s youth-led adoption is shaping the global crypto landscape despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
Speaking about India’s position in the digital asset ecosystem, Teng said the country’s young and tech savvy users have played a key role in driving widespread crypto participation. With millions of people comfortable using smartphones, digital payments, and online platforms, India has emerged as a natural market for crypto adoption at the retail level. Industry data consistently ranks India among the top countries globally for grassroots crypto usage.
Teng highlighted that crypto adoption in India is not limited to major metropolitan cities. Participation is increasingly visible in smaller cities and towns, where young professionals, students, and first time investors are exploring digital assets as an alternative investment and learning tool for blockchain technology. This broad based interest has helped India maintain its leadership position in global crypto adoption rankings.
Despite the strong demand, Teng pointed out that clearer regulations would be critical for unlocking the next phase of growth. While retail participation remains strong, regulatory clarity could encourage greater institutional involvement and help integrate crypto more deeply into India’s financial system. He noted that well defined rules could support innovation while also addressing concerns around consumer protection and compliance.
Binance’s leadership believes India has the potential to become a major hub for blockchain innovation if policy frameworks evolve alongside user adoption. Teng also emphasized the importance of education and awareness in ensuring responsible crypto usage. As more young users enter the ecosystem, access to accurate information and reliable platforms will play a key role in sustaining long term growth.
India’s strong digital infrastructure, including widespread internet access and familiarity with digital payment systems, has further supported crypto adoption. According to industry observers, this foundation makes it easier for new technologies to scale quickly compared to markets with lower digital penetration.
Teng also noted that global trends show increasing alignment between emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. In this context, India’s skilled workforce and growing developer community could contribute significantly to building future digital finance solutions.
While challenges remain, including taxation policies and regulatory oversight, the momentum driven by India’s young population continues to attract attention from global crypto players. Industry experts believe that if regulatory clarity improves, India could see accelerated growth not only in crypto trading but also in blockchain based applications across sectors.
India’s crypto journey is increasingly being shaped by a new generation of digitally fluent users who are comfortable experimenting with emerging financial technologies. This grassroots momentum reflects a deeper shift in how digital assets are being discovered, understood, and adopted across the country, positioning India as a key market influencing the future direction of global crypto adoption.
