While the global trend in cryptocurrency adoption might decline, the narrative shifts dramatically when focusing on lower middle-income countries. Accounting for 40% of the global population, these nations are not just joining the crypto bandwagon but might be steering it.
India Spearheads the Crypto Adoption Movement in CSAO
Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) are gradually establishing themselves as the crypto frontier, with India pioneering the movement. Chainalysis’ latest findings reveal that India isn’t just a player in the CSAO crypto market – it’s a leader. Especially when evaluating grassroots adoption, India tops the chart.
Despite regulatory hurdles and taxing challenges, India‘s ascent in the crypto domain is impressive. It now claims the title of the world’s second-largest crypto market regarding transaction volume, overtaking many affluent countries. This prominence isn’t restricted to one facet of cryptocurrency; India shines across various crypto services, from decentralized exchanges to NFT protocols.

The message is clear: “With the demand persisting, cryptocurrency has cemented its place in India.”
The latter part of 2022 saw the unfortunate collapse of FTX, resulting in a drop in grassroots crypto adoption. Yet, this slump hasn’t been universal. CSAO stands tall, with its crypto engagement metrics surpassing other global regions, significantly when adjusted for purchasing power and demographics. The data underscores this: Six of the top ten nations in Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index hail from CSAO.
A Closer Look at DeFi and Institutional Adoption in CSAO
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has witnessed an expansive growth, accounting for over half of the region’s transaction volume from mid-2022 to mid-2023. On the institutional front, CSAO’s crypto markets have been bustling with high-value transactions. Interestingly, 68.8% of those involve transfers over $1 million.
Chainalysis aptly encapsulates this momentum: “CSAO might be the world’s most dynamic crypto adoption hotspot, rivaling North America and Western Europe. The region’s activities constitute nearly a fifth of global crypto engagements.”
A Blend of Play-to-Earn and Economic Needs Fueling Adoption
While the younger demographic in countries like the Philippines is captivated by play-to-earn games such as Axie Infinity, economic necessities drive nations like Pakistan toward crypto. Facing challenges like high inflation and currency depreciation, many are opting for stablecoins like USDT as a financial refuge.
While the broader global picture might show a dip in crypto adoption, regions like CSAO, led by nations like India, showcase a promising and evolving crypto landscape. This reflects the current state and may provide a glimpse into the future of global crypto dynamics.
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