Summary of this article
Crypto adoption among India’s youth is rapidly increasing this year.
Sumit Gupta advises beginners on Bitcoin basics, risks, and planning.
Experts warn 19-year-olds about volatility, urging caution in investing.
Crypto adoption is growing at a fast pace in India, especially among young investors. Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly adding digital assets to their portfolios, signalling a change in how the youth plan their finances. According to a research report by Coinswitch titled India’s Crypto Portfolio: Q2 2025, investors under 35 account for roughly 72 per cent of all cryptocurrency users, with the 26-35 age group accounting for 44 per cent, and the 18-25 segment accounting for 27 per cent of all crypto users.
Along with the rising interest in cryptocurrency, Gen Z investors are also keen to learn about crypto assets before entering the crypto market. In a recent post on LinkedIn, Sumit Gupta, CEO of CoinDCX spoke about a common concern that many young investors have. “I am 19, what should I know before buying Bitcoin and investing for the long term?”
He emphasised that first time investors should understand key things like market volatility, scarcity, and the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies in order to make wise choices.
Sumit Gupta’s Advice for Young Bitcoin Investors
Gupta suggested that young investors should start with a basic understanding of Bitcoin and investing. He suggested them to read the book Bitcoin Standard by Dr. Saifedean Ammous as a useful reference point, as it outlines the fundamentals of Bitcoin and its prospects for the future.
Beyond reading, he emphasised the importance of educating oneself to a level where one can confidently explain one’s investment choices to friends or family and treat it like a college thesis where one can defend one’s position clearly.
He said investments should match an individual’s personal risk appetite.
“Well-known investors like Ray Dalio (American hedge fund manager) suggest allocating around 15 per cent of your portfolio to Bitcoin if your risk tolerance is high, while a more conservative approach could range between 1 and 5 per cent. Setting up a weekly or monthly investment plan can help you benefit from rupee cost averaging, reducing the impact of short-term market swings and making your investing more disciplined and manageable,” he said.
Sumit emphasised the value of patience and a long-term view. “Investors should not worry over daily market swings,” he said. He summarised his advice with the mantra: Do your own research (DYOR), Buy, hold on for dear life (HODL), chill.” In essence, one should research properly, buy, hold and then sell depending on the requirement.
Exercise Caution Before Investing in Bitcoin
Narenda Kumar, CFP, commented on Sumit Gupta’s post saying that the advice was sensible, but Bitcoin as a product can be difficult for many to understand and invest in, and therefore, youngsters should exercise caution.
He said: “The steps outlined are sensible for many investors, but Bitcoin isn’t necessarily the right fit for every 19-year-old. The volatility and regulatory uncertainties can be daunting especially for beginners still building their financial foundations. Encouraging young investors to explore Bitcoin is good. But to balance their excitement with financial responsibility is also important.”
