Many young Indians are turning to cryptocurrency trading to supplement their income, as slow wage growth and limited job opportunities push them towards alternative financial avenues. Many, like Ashish Nagose, a 28-year-old flower shop owner from Nagpur, are dedicating time to learning the intricacies of crypto trading. Previously involved in stock options trading, Nagose switched to digital assets after tighter regulations made equity derivatives trading less accessible.

The surge in interest has led to a sharp rise in trading volumes, with India's four largest crypto exchanges seeing a twofold increase to$1.9 billion in late 2024. Experts attribute this momentum to global factors, including optimism surrounding former US President Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance, alongside growing interest in smaller Indian cities. Non-metro areas such as Jaipur, Lucknow, and Pune have emerged as key centres of crypto activity, with projections suggesting India's digital assets market could expand from$2.5 billion in 2024 to over$15 billion by 2035.

Despite the enthusiasm, Indian authorities remain cautious. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised concerns about the risks of widespread crypto adoption, and stringent tax policies continue to pose challenges for traders. While domestic exchanges have regained momentum following a ban on offshore platforms, the government has upheld its strict tax regulations, rejecting calls to lower the tax-deducted-at-source (TDS) rate. However, this has not deterred young investors like Sagar Neware, a 25-year-old mechanical engineer, who hopes crypto trading will enable him to revive his father's business.

With rising crypto education demand, training centres are thriving across the country. Institutions such as Thoughts Magic Trading Academy in Nagpur claim to have trained thousands of students eager to navigate the market. While regulatory uncertainty lingers, India's crypto landscape evolves rapidly, driven by a generation determined to carve out new financial opportunities.