ZebPay’s H1 2026 data shows a younger and more geographically diverse crypto audience in India. Users aged 18–24 made up nearly half of new registrations, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities contributed around 62%.
India’s crypto user base is showing a noticeable generational shift, with younger investors making up a large share of new registrations in the first half of 2026. More than 1.2 lakh users joined ZebPay between January and June, and people aged 18 to 24 accounted for nearly half of those new registrations, according to the exchange’s H1 2026 report.
The report suggests that younger participants are not merely signing up but are also showing a strong preference for accumulating digital assets. Among Gen Z users, buying volumes were nearly 10 times higher than selling volumes during the six months. Solana emerged as the most preferred asset among this age group.
Smaller Cities Add to Crypto Growth
The change is also visible geographically. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities together accounted for around 62% of new registrations on ZebPay during H1 2026. Tier-3 locations alone contributed nearly 21% of registrations and were the only city category to record an increase in average spot order size.
The figures indicate that crypto participation is extending beyond India’s major metropolitan centers. However, ZebPay’s data represents activity on its own platform and should not be treated as a direct measure of the overall Indian crypto market.
Most Users Preferred Holding Over Frequent Trading
Despite the rise in new registrations, active trading was not the dominant behavior. Around 63% of ZebPay users held crypto without trading during H1 2026, while another 29% continued trading while holding assets.
Among users who remained active throughout all six months, trading volumes were around 21 times higher than those who participated for only one month. About 85% of active users participated in spot markets, while nearly 72% used at least two features on the platform.
Also Read: Blockchain vs Cryptocurrency: Understanding the Key Differences
Bitcoin Remains a Major Choice
Bitcoin continued to dominate several parts of the market. Bitcoin-focused investors represented the largest portfolio group at 30%, followed by Legacy Altcoin Holders at 17.3% and Diversified Explorers at 15%. Bitcoin also generated nearly four times Ethereum’s trading volume despite the two assets attracting a similar number of traders.
USDT remained the leading trading pair, while Layer-1 assets accounted for close to 90% of categorised trading volume. Overall, the H1 data points to a crypto audience that is becoming younger and more geographically distributed, even as many users continue to favour holding assets over frequent trading.
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.
