From memecoins to utility tokens: How Gen Z is changing the way it invests in crypto
Crypto plays a significant role in this strategy, but the portfolio distribution indicates that most investments are not concentrated in highly speculative memecoins
- Aug 11, 2026,
- Updated Aug 11, 2026 4:42 PM IST
India’s Gen Z is entering financial markets at a younger age, with early investing, research and portfolio diversification emerging as key features of their approach to wealth creation. Data from crypto exchange WazirX shows that younger investors are increasingly looking beyond speculative assets and are building more diversified crypto portfolios.
The findings were released by WazirX on the occasion of International Youth Day 2026. According to the platform, its Gen Z investors have a median age of 25 years, while Gen Z accounted for 72% of all new investors on WazirX in the first half of 2026. Around 32.1% of active traders on the platform were from the generation.
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Crypto emerges as an entry point
One of the key findings is that crypto is becoming a gateway into investing for young Indians. Nearly 44.4% of Gen Z investors on WazirX began their investment journey through crypto, indicating that many are entering financial markets through digital assets rather than moving into crypto after building traditional investment portfolios.
WazirX said these investors are also starting early rather than waiting to accumulate substantial wealth. Crypto is increasingly being treated as one component of a broader wealth-building strategy.
Memecoins are not dominating portfolios
While Gen Z is often associated with high-risk and trend-driven investments, WazirX data suggests that memecoins account for a relatively smaller portion of their crypto holdings.
The platform said 59% of Gen Z portfolios are allocated to utility-focused categories, including decentralised finance (DeFi), Layer-2 ecosystems and payment tokens. Established blue-chip crypto accounts for another 25%, while memecoins make up 16%.
The portfolio mix suggests that although younger investors participate in internet-driven crypto trends, a larger share of their holdings is directed towards assets and categories that WazirX associates with utility, long-term potential, liquidity and market trust.
Starting early matters
Another defining characteristic of this generation is its willingness to begin investing without waiting to accumulate significant wealth. Young Indians are increasingly treating crypto as one component of a broader wealth-building strategy.
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Gen Z crypto investors also come from varied financial backgrounds. Nearly 79.6% have annual incomes between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Among users, 40% are students, 33% are salaried professionals, and 27% are self-employed.
Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX said “Gen Z is proving that wealth creation isn't about where you come from or how much you start with, but finding the right opportunities, doing your research, and starting early. Young Indians were investing in crypto earlier, but they're doing so with discipline, curiosity, and a long-term mindset now. That's the foundation of India's next financial revolution.”
Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities drive participation
The shift is also spreading beyond India's major metropolitan centres. Nearly 80% of WazirX's Gen Z users come from outside the country's top 10 cities, pointing to growing participation from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Mumbai and Delhi continue to have the highest individual concentration of users, but the broader distribution indicates that digital-asset investing is reaching a wider geographical audience.
Young investors continue buying during volatility
Gen Z investors also appear willing to remain active during market corrections. WazirX data shows that 52.8% buy during mild market corrections, while 43.7% continue buying even on the worst trading days. Their average investment size also remains nearly unchanged during major market declines compared with normal trading days.
Overall, the data points to a younger investor base that is increasingly comfortable with digital assets but is also showing signs of portfolio diversification and a willingness to research before taking investment decisions.
India’s Gen Z is entering financial markets at a younger age, with early investing, research and portfolio diversification emerging as key features of their approach to wealth creation. Data from crypto exchange WazirX shows that younger investors are increasingly looking beyond speculative assets and are building more diversified crypto portfolios.
The findings were released by WazirX on the occasion of International Youth Day 2026. According to the platform, its Gen Z investors have a median age of 25 years, while Gen Z accounted for 72% of all new investors on WazirX in the first half of 2026. Around 32.1% of active traders on the platform were from the generation.
READ THIS: Here’s how much MDR could be charged on UPI and RuPay transactions
Crypto emerges as an entry point
One of the key findings is that crypto is becoming a gateway into investing for young Indians. Nearly 44.4% of Gen Z investors on WazirX began their investment journey through crypto, indicating that many are entering financial markets through digital assets rather than moving into crypto after building traditional investment portfolios.
WazirX said these investors are also starting early rather than waiting to accumulate substantial wealth. Crypto is increasingly being treated as one component of a broader wealth-building strategy.
Memecoins are not dominating portfolios
While Gen Z is often associated with high-risk and trend-driven investments, WazirX data suggests that memecoins account for a relatively smaller portion of their crypto holdings.
The platform said 59% of Gen Z portfolios are allocated to utility-focused categories, including decentralised finance (DeFi), Layer-2 ecosystems and payment tokens. Established blue-chip crypto accounts for another 25%, while memecoins make up 16%.
The portfolio mix suggests that although younger investors participate in internet-driven crypto trends, a larger share of their holdings is directed towards assets and categories that WazirX associates with utility, long-term potential, liquidity and market trust.
Starting early matters
Another defining characteristic of this generation is its willingness to begin investing without waiting to accumulate significant wealth. Young Indians are increasingly treating crypto as one component of a broader wealth-building strategy.
DON'T MISS: 82 lakh EPS-95 pensioners: How to submit Jeevan Pramaan from home and avoid pension payment disruption
Gen Z crypto investors also come from varied financial backgrounds. Nearly 79.6% have annual incomes between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Among users, 40% are students, 33% are salaried professionals, and 27% are self-employed.
Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX said “Gen Z is proving that wealth creation isn't about where you come from or how much you start with, but finding the right opportunities, doing your research, and starting early. Young Indians were investing in crypto earlier, but they're doing so with discipline, curiosity, and a long-term mindset now. That's the foundation of India's next financial revolution.”
Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities drive participation
The shift is also spreading beyond India's major metropolitan centres. Nearly 80% of WazirX's Gen Z users come from outside the country's top 10 cities, pointing to growing participation from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Mumbai and Delhi continue to have the highest individual concentration of users, but the broader distribution indicates that digital-asset investing is reaching a wider geographical audience.
Young investors continue buying during volatility
Gen Z investors also appear willing to remain active during market corrections. WazirX data shows that 52.8% buy during mild market corrections, while 43.7% continue buying even on the worst trading days. Their average investment size also remains nearly unchanged during major market declines compared with normal trading days.
Overall, the data points to a younger investor base that is increasingly comfortable with digital assets but is also showing signs of portfolio diversification and a willingness to research before taking investment decisions.