India Crypto Regulation Needed for Mass Adoption: Binance Co-CEO

Why India Crypto Regulation Is Critical for Retail Adoption

The World Economic Forum in Davos has once again put the digital asset world in the hot seat. This year, all eyes are on India crypto regulation, thanks to some blunt truth-telling from Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng.

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Speaking on Monday, January 19, 2026, Teng didn't hold back. He labeled India the "grassroots capital" of the crypto world a title backed by millions of tech-savvy young users already using the tech every day.

The "Sleeping Giant" Problem

There is a catch to this success: Teng described the country as a "sleeping giant" that’s currently stuck in neutral. While the people are ready, the big "mass market" investors are still sitting on the sidelines. They are essentially waiting for the Indian government to finally flip the switch on formal, clear rules.

Bridging the Gap: Crypto vs. UPI

One of the most debated topics in New Delhi and India has been whether digital assets threaten the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Teng tackled this head-on, arguing that India crypto regulation should view the two as partners rather than rivals. While UPI is a masterclass in domestic efficiency, Teng pointed out that decentralized assets are borderless and operate 24/7.

"UPI is for usage within the nation by and large, but Digital Assets helps in borderless transfer," Teng noted. He explained that the programmability of tokens offers a utility that traditional fiat channels simply cannot match. For corporate treasuries moving capital globally, the speed and "fraction of the cost" offered by stablecoins have become an irresistible advantage.

The "US Boom": A Warning for India

Richard Teng didn't pull any punches when comparing India crypto regulation to the sudden explosion of activity in the United States. He pointed to a massive "vibe shift" that happened back in July 2025 when the US passed the GENIUS Act. This wasn't just another boring law; it was the moment the US flipped from being a crypto skeptic to the world’s loudest cheerleader.

Under this new playbook, the results have been wild. Stablecoin values have jumped by over 50%, and the amount of money moving through these networks has tripled it’s now moving twice as much money every day as Visa.

Teng’s warning to India was simple: if the world’s biggest economy is rebranding itself as the "Global Capital for AI and Blockchain," staying in a "grey zone" is a dangerous game. For India crypto regulation to succeed, it needs to provide the same level of clarity, or risk watching its homegrown talent and capital flee to friendlier shores.

Binance’s Path to One Billion Users

For Binance, the stakes for Indian crypto regulation are personal. The firm recently crossed the 300 million user mark, processing an eye-watering $34 trillion in trading value last year. With a goal to reach one billion users, He identified India as an "indispensable" part of that ambition.

Despite the "grey zone" status of trading in the nation, institutional volume on Binance grew by over 20% in the last year alone. Co-CEO believes that as "former skeptics" among global finance leaders turn into believers, the Indian government will eventually see the strategic importance of a clear framework. He concluded that while enthusiasm for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) is fading globally, the underlying market structure for private digital assets remains robust and ready for the next decade of growth.