Synopsis: India’s young, tech-savvy population leads global crypto adoption at grassroots level, says Binance co-CEO Richard Teng. Despite regulatory uncertainty, India ranks number one on crypto adoption index, making it crucial for industry growth.
India has quietly emerged as the world’s top crypto adopter at the grassroots level. This comes at a time when digital assets are gaining renewed attention globally. Binance co-CEO Richard Teng recently highlighted India’s leading position in crypto adoption during an interview at Davos 2026. He emphasized that India’s young and tech-savvy population drives this remarkable growth. Meanwhile, the global crypto landscape is witnessing major regulatory shifts, particularly in the United States and Europe.
Despite trading in a regulatory grey zone, India continues to dominate grassroots adoption. Many global finance leaders who once doubted crypto have now become believers. Teng noted that understanding the technology often transforms skeptics into supporters. This shift in perception could eventually influence India’s regulatory approach as well.
Where Does India Rank in Global Crypto Adoption
India ranks number one on the crypto adoption index at a grassroots level. Teng cited Chainalysis data to support this claim during his recent media interaction. The country’s young population shows strong interest in digital assets and blockchain technology. This enthusiasm exists even though crypto trading operates in a regulatory grey zone.
India permits digital assets and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) but lacks clear crypto trading rules. Teng believes that deeper knowledge transfer can change how regulators view cryptocurrencies. He pointed out that lack of understanding sometimes creates unnecessary concerns among policymakers. Furthermore, he mentioned that prominent global finance leaders shifted their stance after learning about blockchain technology.
Binance has set an ambitious goal of reaching one billion users worldwide. India remains indispensable to achieving this target, according to Teng. He previously described India’s CBDC trial as strategically important for the crypto ecosystem. The trial could help the central bank better understand blockchain technology and its potential applications.
Market Structure
Global crypto momentum continues despite recent price corrections from all-time highs. Teng emphasized that the underlying market structure remains strong and resilient. Binance crossed 300 million users last year and processed approximately $34 trillion in trading value. The exchange also secured a full global license from Abu Dhabi Global Markets.
Additionally, Binance onboarded over 60 million new users annually over the past two years. Institutional volumes on the platform grew more than 20% during this period. Corporate treasuries now increasingly use crypto and stablecoins for efficient capital movement. These tools allow companies to transfer funds globally on a 24/7 basis at lower costs.
Binance recently expanded its offerings by adding gold and silver perpetual contracts. The company plans to diversify its asset classes further based on strong market demand. This expansion reflects growing investor interest in tokenized traditional assets beyond cryptocurrencies.
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US Regulatory Clarity
The United States has taken decisive steps to establish clear crypto regulations. Legislation like the Clarity Act and GENIUS Act provides much-needed regulatory frameworks. These laws position the US as the global capital for AI and blockchain innovation. Teng praised this approach and stated that these technologies will drive future economic growth.
The GENIUS Act, signed in July 2025, created the first federal framework for stablecoins. It allows banks, credit unions, and non-banks to issue stablecoins under clear oversight. Compliant stablecoin issuances are exempt from securities and commodities classification under this framework. As a result, stablecoin market capitalization rose over 50 percent, while transaction volumes more than tripled.
Teng argued that regulatory clarity has become a competitive advantage for nations. He warned that other governments must rethink their approach toward AI and blockchain. Countries that delay may risk losing competitiveness in the global digital economy. Europe is also moving forward with MiCA, a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto service providers.
Traditional Finance and Blockchain Converge in 2026
The year 2026 could mark a turning point for financial markets globally. Traditional finance, blockchain technology, and digital assets are increasingly converging. Asset tokenization and crypto payments are gaining adoption among governments and financial institutions. Real-world asset tokenization enables 24/7 trading and better risk management capabilities.
Even traditional exchanges are exploring on-chain models to support round-the-clock trading. Real estate and other tangible assets represent major growth areas for tokenization. Stablecoins have emerged as a “killer app” for the crypto industry. They enable instant, low-cost cross-border transfers compared to slow traditional banking systems.
Binance remains regulated by India’s Financial Intelligence Unit and continues engaging with policymakers. Greater awareness and education could help India move toward a more supportive framework. Despite market volatility, regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and tokenization are driving crypto’s next growth phase.
Written By Fazal Ul Vahab C H
