Gen Z Drives 61% of Crypto Futures Trading in India: Study
The study found that the number of women traders has grown by 20% year-on-year, with women now accounting for nearly one in eight users on the platform.
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A new study has revealed that India’s crypto derivatives market is increasingly being shaped by young investors, with Gen Z emerging as the dominant group. According to the report, 61% of all new crypto futures traders on the platform fall within the 18–25 age bracket, highlighting a shift toward a younger, digitally native investor base.
The findings by Pi42 and Hashed Emergent underline India’s strong position in global cryptocurrency adoption, particularly in non-metro regions. The report suggests that the country’s growing digital economy and widespread smartphone usage are enabling more young people to participate in financial markets, including crypto derivatives trading.
Another notable trend is the rise in female participation. The study found that the number of women traders has grown by 20% year-on-year, with women now accounting for nearly one in eight users on the platform. This points to a gradual broadening of participation across demographics.
Trading behaviour has also evolved significantly over the past year. The average trade size has nearly doubled, increasing from about USD 1,051 in 2024 to around USD 1,960 more recently. At the same time, trading activity has become more frequent, with nearly 60% of active traders engaging in daily transactions, compared to about 45% earlier. Additionally, nearly one in four traders reported booking profits, suggesting improving awareness of trading strategies and risk management practices.
Regionally, eastern India has emerged as a key growth driver, accounting for nearly 32% of retail investors on the platform. States such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya are leading this trend, while North and Central India have also seen participation double in 2025. The data indicates that crypto trading is expanding beyond traditional urban centres into Tier II and Tier III regions.
Avinash Shekhar, Co-founder and CEO of Pi42, said, “These trends signal a clear shift in how Indian investors are engaging with crypto derivatives. Even amid ongoing global macro and geopolitical uncertainties, trading activity on the platform has remained resilient, with investors continuing to increase participation, trade sizes and overall conviction.”
He added, “We are seeing young, digitally native users adopt more strategic and informed trading approaches, while adoption from emerging regions is accelerating at a strong pace.”
Tak Lee, CEO and Managing Partner of Hashed Emergent, also noted the changing landscape. “India’s crypto derivatives market is undergoing a structural shift. When over 60% of new traders are under 25 and regions like Eastern India are growing rapidly, it tells us this is no longer a niche, metro-driven phenomenon,” he said.
The report is based on an analysis of around 200,000 crypto futures traders on the platform between January and December 2025, offering a snapshot of evolving investor trends across the country.
A new study has revealed that India’s crypto derivatives market is increasingly being shaped by young investors, with Gen Z emerging as the dominant group. According to the report, 61% of all new crypto futures traders on the platform fall within the 18–25 age bracket, highlighting a shift toward a younger, digitally native investor base.
The findings by Pi42 and Hashed Emergent underline India’s strong position in global cryptocurrency adoption, particularly in non-metro regions. The report suggests that the country’s growing digital economy and widespread smartphone usage are enabling more young people to participate in financial markets, including crypto derivatives trading.
Another notable trend is the rise in female participation. The study found that the number of women traders has grown by 20% year-on-year, with women now accounting for nearly one in eight users on the platform. This points to a gradual broadening of participation across demographics.
