Young crypto investors sell more, while older investors buy and diversify portfolios : CoinSwitch Report

While younger Indians continue to drive new crypto participation, older investors show stronger buying conviction and more diversified portfolios, according to CoinSwitch’s Q2 2026 report.

The report, while highlighting how India invests, reveals distinct differences in crypto investing behaviour across age groups. Investors aged 18–25 accounted for 54.4% of new investors added during Q2, making them the largest contributor to new market participation. However, this was the only age group to record more selling than buying, with a buy-to-sell ratio of 0.65.

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In contrast, investors aged 46 and above recorded the strongest buying conviction, with a ratio of 1.14. The data suggests that while younger investors are driving entry into the asset class, older investors are more inclined to buy than sell.

Nearly three in four investors are aged 35 or below, with the 18–25 and 26–35 cohorts accounting for 54.4% and 25.4% of new investors respectively. Portfolio diversification also increases across older age cohorts.

While 59.2% of investors aged 18–25 held a single crypto, the share fell to 36.3% among investors aged 36–45. The 36–45 cohort also recorded the highest share of investors holding 10 or more cryptos, at 9.1%. The data points to a clear difference in portfolio construction across age groups, with older cohorts more likely to hold a wider range of assets, the report said.

“Each market cycle brings in a new set of investors, but over time, we see investors become more informed and deliberate in how they participate. What we are seeing in India is a shift from crypto being viewed simply as a new asset class to investors developing a more nuanced understanding of how they want to participate in it,” said Ashish Singhal, Co-founder CoinSwitch.

“The next phase of adoption will be shaped by bringing more people into the market while also building greater confidence, awareness and sophistication among those already here. That evolution will be important as crypto moves from an emerging category to a more established part of India’s investment landscape,” Singhal further said.

Despite differences in age and portfolio composition, Bitcoin and Dogecoin emerged as the most popular crypto pairing across every age group. Bitcoin + Shiba Inu, Dogecoin + Shiba Inu and Bitcoin + Ethereum were the next most popular combinations. Investors aged 36–45 preferred Dogecoin + XRP, while the 26–35 and 46+ cohorts favoured Dogecoin + Ethereum.

Indian investors also showed distinct patterns in when they traded. Thursday was the busiest trading day, while Sunday recorded the lowest activity. The busiest trading hour was 10 PM–11 PM, with buying activity strongest between 7 PM and midnight. Activity was lowest between 3 AM and 5 AM, highlighting a clear concentration of crypto activity during evening hours.

Crypto participation also continues to extend beyond India’s traditional financial centres. Uttar Pradesh remained India’s largest crypto market, accounting for 12.9% of total investment, followed by Maharashtra at 12.4%, Karnataka at 8.1% and Delhi at 7.4%.

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Bitcoin was the most preferred crypto across nine of India’s ten largest investing states, with Andhra Pradesh the only exception, where Dogecoin ranked first. Andhra Pradesh also recorded the highest female participation among the top ten markets, with women accounting for 59.3% of total investment.

The findings point to a crypto market evolving across both investor behaviour and geography: younger Indians are driving new participation, while older cohorts show stronger buying conviction and greater diversification, with crypto investing continuing to expand beyond India’s traditional financial centres, the report further said.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)