India’s base of investors in cryptocurrencies is becoming younger and moving beyond large cities as Gen Z began entering the sector at a rapid rate in 2026.
As ZebPay’s The State of Crypto in India: H1 2026 Review & H2 Outlook points out, its crypto ecosystem received nearly 1.2 lakh new investors between January and June 2026, of whom around 50% were Gen Z (aged between 18 and 25).
Gen Z Shows Strong Accumulation Trend
ZebPay classified Gen Z investors as ‘the accumulator’, reflecting their tendency to buy rather than sell cryptocurrency. The group recorded buying volumes nearly 10 times higher than selling volumes during H1 2026. Solana emerged as their preferred cryptocurrency, while stablecoins also attracted significant interest.
The report said this reflected “a preference for newer Layer-1 assets alongside stablecoin-based trading”.
Investment behavior changed noticeably across age groups. Investors aged 26-35, classified as “the balanced builder”, primarily focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum and recorded nearly equal buying and selling activity.
Among investors aged 36-45, selling volumes were almost twice buying volumes, with Bitcoin remaining their preferred asset. ZebPay described this segment as “the profit taker”.
Investors aged 45 and above had the largest average portfolios, highest allocation to established crypto assets and highest trading frequency.
Crypto Investors Increasingly Hold Assets
Holding rather than frequent trading was another notable trend. Approximately 63% of investors held cryptocurrency without executing trades during H1 2026. Overall buying activity also exceeded selling by approximately 7% during the six months.
According to Rahul Pagidipati, Chief Executive Officer, ZebPay, “In India, investors are demonstrating a more informed and disciplined approach, focusing on portfolio diversification and long-term wealth creation rather than short-term trends alone.”
Adoption Expands Beyond Major Cities
Crypto participation is also becoming geographically broader. Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets collectively generated 62% of new registrations, including 41% from Tier-2 and 21% from Tier-3 locations. Tier-1 markets accounted for the remaining 38%.
Final Thoughts
ZebPay’s data indicates that younger Indians are increasingly participating in crypto while displaying an accumulation-oriented approach. However, these figures represent activity on one exchange rather than India’s entire investor population, and cryptocurrency remains a volatile investment category.
Also Read: India’s Gen Z is Using Crypto as an Entry Point Into Investing, WazirX Data Shows
Disclaimer : Crypto News India does not recommend that any cryptocurrency should be bought, sold, or held by you. Do conduct your own due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
