Today, India stands at a juncture where digital finance is no longer just a game for metropolitan cities. Young people from small cities, working women, students, and new-generation professionals have started viewing crypto not just as “Bitcoin,” but as a real opportunity. A new report from CoinDCX indicates that 2025 brought the biggest shift in crypto investment to India—and at the heart of this change are Tier-2 cities and Women Investors.
This transformation is not merely about statistics, but about emotions, dreams, and the self-reliance of a new India.
Indian Investors No Longer Believe ‘Crypto equals Bitcoin’
According to CoinDCX, Indian investors took a mature step in 2025. While an investor typically held 2–3 tokens in 2022, this average has increased to 5 tokens in 2025. People are now investing after reading, understanding, and comparing the technology and projects.
Layer-1 tokens such as Ethereum, Solana, and SUI have become the first choice for investors. This change highlights that Indians are now viewing crypto as a long-term plan, rather than just a quick profit-making tool.
Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities—The Real Champions of 2025
The biggest surprise was the record-breaking participation from India’s emerging cities. The report states that 40% of the country’s crypto users now come from non-metro cities.
- Lucknow saw a 5-fold increase in Ethereum trading.
- In Jaipur, Ethereum surpassed Bitcoin for the first time.
- Pune signaled its potential to be the most active market of the future with a 10-fold increase in trade volume.
Cities like Indore, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Guwahati, and Bhopal—which were once mere “observers”—are now active crypto participants. This shows that India’s true digital revolution is emerging not from the hustle of metropolises, but from the smaller cities at its heart.
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The Big Leap by Women Investors—Participation Doubled in One Year
2025 proved to be a new chapter in the financial independence of Indian women. The report states that women’s crypto participation has doubled compared to the previous year.
- Kolkata became the largest hub for women’s investment, followed by Delhi and Mumbai.
- Smaller cities like Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Vadodara, Siliguri, and Imphal also showed extremely rapid growth.
Women’s interest was not limited to just Bitcoin and Ethereum. They are investing in diverse tokens such as Solana, Polygon, XRP, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Avalanche. This is a clear indication that women are taking steps with a more research-based and long-term outlook.
Research-Based Investment—The Biggest Trend of 2025
Investors are now beginning to understand crypto based on “themes,” similar to the stock market. Building portfolios based on categories such as DeFi, AI Tokens, Layer-1 Networks, and Scaling Solutions has become a new, mature trend.
This is not just trading—it is a sign of maturity in India’s financial behavior.
What Will 2026 Bring?
According to Sumit Gupta, the Co-founder of CoinDCX : “2025 has matured crypto in India. In 2026, the market will not be dependent on the Bitcoin halving cycle. Now, the market will be driven by research, institutional investment, and long-term stability.”
Today, 55% of global hedge funds are investing in crypto and preparing to increase their portfolios further. This means crypto is no longer the “future”—but a part of the “present.”
Now This is the Story of Every Indian
Whether it is a youth in Lucknow, a working woman in Kolkata, or a tech professional in Pune—everyone is now part of this digital finance revolution.
2025 has proven that India’s crypto journey is no longer just about the big cities, but about the entire nation. 2026 has the potential to elevate India to new heights in the global digital economy.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on available reports, data, and reliable sources. Its purpose is to inform readers. The information provided here is not investment advice. Crypto market is a very volatile market—always conduct your own due diligence before making any financial decision.
Dr. Bidyut Barun Sarmah, with 22+ years of experience in print, electronic, and digital media, holds an MA and PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism. He has worked with AIR, Doordarshan, and the Publication Division under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A published author and researcher, Dr. Sarmah writes extensively in both Assamese and English. He was also awarded a prestigious fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for his study on journalistic literature—an achievement that highlights his depth of scholarship and contribution to media studies. At Nest of News, he leads the editorial team and contributes across diverse topics.