Cryptocurrency has become a popular investment choice for young Indians, but Millennials and Gen Z approach it in very different ways. Their choices reflect their experiences, their understanding of technology, and the way they see risk. While , their paths, and their portfolios, don’t look the same.
IndiaToday.In spoke with Ashish Singhal, co-founder, CoinSwitch and Ellie Doroudian, founder, The BestProp to understand these generational differences.
Millennials stepped into the world of investing long before crypto reached the mainstream. They witnessed stock market cycles, economic downturns and the early, unstable phase of digital assets. That experience shapes their behaviour even today.
Ashish Singhal said Millennials “tend to look for alpha from cryptos in a balanced and diversified portfolio.” For them, crypto is an add-on rather than the starting point of their financial journey.
Many of them make their first-ever investment in crypto. Singhal said, “Gen Z is digital-native and more experimental. In many cases, their first investment is crypto.”
For Gen Z, crypto is more than just a money-making tool. It represents community, identity and the future of finance. They enjoy the technology behind it, the speed of transactions, and the sense of belonging that comes from online crypto communities.
“Crypto isn’t just about making money; it’s a way to participate in the future of finance,” Singhal added.
Ellie Doroudian described Gen Z as digital natives who see crypto as “a banner of reclamation—sidestep legacy institutions and embrace socially driven opportunities.” Meme coins, NFTs and tokens built around online trends appeal strongly to them.
Millennials, on the other hand, approach crypto with more caution. Their experiences with market crashes and economic slowdowns make them think in the long term. They prefer tried-and-tested tokens and rely on measured strategies.
Doroudian said Millennials are “risk-aware rather than risk-averse,” explaining that they use methods like diversification, dollar-cost averaging and stop-loss limits. They rarely go all in and tend to keep most of their money in mainstream assets while allocating a smaller portion to crypto.
Both experts agree that income plays a major role in how much risk people can take.
Gen Z investors are early in their careers, so they put in smaller amounts and don’t mind experimenting with high-risk tokens. Their losses feel manageable because their stakes are small, said Doroudian.
Millennials, with higher incomes and greater responsibilities, invest more but do so carefully. Singhal explained that people with financial stability feel more comfortable exploring new assets, but they do so with “a balanced and diversified portfolio.”
“Millennials tend to be drawn to Bitcoin and large-cap altcoins that have stood the test of time. Having been brought up referring to major tokens like Ethereum, Solana, or Cardano, they trust in the good fundamentals and worldwide recognition of these tokens,” says Doroudian.
Gen Z portfolios look far more colourful. They mix large tokens with altcoins, meme coins and new experimental tokens that trend online. Doroudian said Gen Z has become “the kingmakers of the meme coin realm,” driven by humour, community and fast-moving social buzz.
Millennials react with calm calculation. They reassess their allocations and take a steady, long-term view. They treat volatility as something to manage, not something to chase.
Gen Z sees volatility as an opportunity. They often double down on investments during dips, guided by online discussions and peer influence. Their decisions are shaped by social media narratives, quick trends and constant updates, explained Singhal.
Millennials tend to wait for clarity on regulations before making larger investments. Doroudian said that they “remain on standby for regulatory updates,” especially because they have more at stake financially.
Gen Z, however, trusts technology more than institutions. While they care about rules, they are comfortable navigating unclear environments as long as platforms are easy to use and communities remain active.
Both generations contribute to crypto’s growth, but Gen Z is expected to lead the next major leap. Singhal believes Gen Z will push adoption forward with their openness, curiosity and digital comfort. Doroudian added that Gen Z “sets trends, challenges norms, and demands speed and fun,” making them ideal drivers of future innovation.
Simply put, Millennials and Gen Z may share the same interest in crypto, but their journeys are shaped by different worlds. One group prefers caution and strategy; the other embraces experimentation and community. Together, they are shaping the next chapter of crypto, each in their own style.