Gen Z has become a powerful spending force, but their financial approach differs from those of the generations before them. While younger people have a reputation for being careless or more daring with their money, Gen Z is proving to be an exception. In India, the Gen Z age group, which spans the ages of 13 to 28 as of 2025, is so far proving to be financially savvy in impressive ways.
Gen Z has embraced financial literacy and is placing its efforts into saving and avoiding debt accumulation. They are also open to new advancements in fintech, most notably the investment and use of crypto and the adoption of mobile-first financial services. This shift in financial practices is heavily influencing the finance industry and playing a key role in driving the future of crypto payments. Below, we’ll break down Gen Z’s digital behaviour and trends to see how they’re shaping the industry.
The Shift from HODLing to Using
A significant number of India’s Gen Z are saving more than 30% of their income, and among this group, over 70% are investing. While many in the generation prefer to invest in low-risk avenues, crypto appears to be the exception. Despite its volatility, the generally risk-averse Gen Z are prominent investors in crypto assets. Entrepreneur reports that 35% of crypto investors in India belong to Gen Z—a staggering number, considering they make up just over 25% of the nation’s population. Their approach, however, isn’t about speculative, get-rich schemes. Gen Z is investing to build wealth over the long term, with the goal of early retirement. They primarily invest in meme coins and trade daily in a gamified manner.
The volatile nature of crypto has led most investors, not just Gen Z, to log onto their investment platforms to check the status of their investments far more often than those who check the status of more traditional investment portfolios. Just as market volatility keeps investors engaged, so do crypto rewards on trading platforms. These rewards operate similarly to blockchain rewards, encouraging activities such as lending, referrals, and staking. In some cases, crypto rewards can even be collected in a play-to-earn style. This play-to-earn adoption makes crypto use engaging on multiple levels for a tech-savvy generation.
The appeal of investing in crypto for Gen Z is the flexibility it offers not just as a HODLing to grow wealth but also as an investment capable of being applied to transactions. Crypto allows users to spend money while simultaneously saving for the future. That said, the data shows that Gen Z spends smaller amounts on crypto than older generations, and it’s more about satisfying curiosity about the technology and the concepts of DeFi than being considered a meaningful, future-focused investment.
Mobile-First and Micro-Spending Culture
The habit of regularly checking portfolios, gamification, and the use of crypto for active spending reveal two other influential habits of Gen Z: a tendency toward mobile-first platforms and services and an emphasis on digital micro-spending.
Growing up surrounded by technology, Gen Z has unsurprisingly embraced tech-forward financial practices, preferring mobile-based services to traditional financial institutions. Using the country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and mobile wallets is commonplace in India. They simplify money management and make transactions seamless via Virtual Payment Addresses (VPAs). Their widespread adoption has increased demand for crypto apps to integrate with UPI and mobile wallets, allowing for seamless integration of crypto spending and purchasing with other personal finance activities.
The mobile-first preference for financial services also extends to spending preferences. Gen Z does the majority of its shopping online, using platforms such as websites and e-commerce apps, as well as scrolling through social media. But it’s not just material goods this generation is willing to spend on. Gen Z also embraces microtransactions for upgraded subscription features or in-game purchases to enhance online experiences. As a result, Gen Z expects seamless payment integration in all digital experiences. Gen Z expects tap-and-play and tap-and-pay functionality whether they’re spending with crypto or traditional cash.
Why Gen Z Prefers Decentralised, Flexible Payment Systems
The desire for frictionless transactions means that Gen Z has a strong preference for flexible payment systems that offer convenience and speed. This plays a role in the widespread adoption of digital tools such as UPIs and digital wallets, but Gen Z demands far more than convenience. They prioritise value-driven spending habits, and this is reflected in the adoption of decentralised financial payment systems. Gen Z seeks transparent systems that align with their values and that give them the freedom to manage their finances as they see fit.
Growing up in the aftermath of major financial crises, such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Gen Z is far more wary of traditional financial and payment institutions. They crave financial autonomy and control over their financial resources and decision-making, and decentralised systems directly cater to this desire. Through crypto platforms, Gen Z has more control over their finances, with increased transparency and security, as well as greater flexibility, speed, and convenience across global and local networks.
Reward-Based Platforms and the Rise of Entertainment Utility
Gen Z’s adoption of crypto spending aligns with their desire for financial freedom, affordability, and instant experiences. The increasing gamification of services through reward-based systems and platforms builds engaging experiences into systems where we don’t typically expect to find them, like financial services. We also see these reward systems being built into gaming, including real-money crypto gaming and other entertainment platforms, to enhance the experience.
One arena exemplifying this built-in reward system is online crypto casinos, which offer play-to-win models with casino loyalty rewards, such as free spins, deposit matches, and crypto rewards. These rewards can be obtained through in-platform spending, as well as through other behaviours that keep players engaged with mobile casino apps, such as rewarding daily logins, trying a variety of games, and referring the platform to friends and family.
The best online casino bonuses and promotions in 2025 are tapping into Gen Z’s preferences for speed, seamless payments, and enjoyable, uninterrupted gaming experiences. They allow for online casino bonuses to be claimed instantly, without any friction or unnecessary steps that leave the generation feeling dissatisfied with an online experience. Increasingly, crypto-enabled casinos are offering specifically designed crypto gambling options that enable micro-transactions to be made using this decentralised payment method. Additionally, crypto casinos implement VIP reward systems, casino tournaments, and many other entertainment avenues that engage players. These rewards highlight Gen Z’s demand for engaging crypto entertainment and payment options in India and beyond.
The Implications for Crypto Platforms and Developers
What do Gen Z preferences and habits mean for crypto platforms and developers? They need to have convenience, user experience, and gamification at the top of their minds when designing apps and platforms. Gen Z’s increasing buying power and influence in economic markets make their digital behaviour essential to be aware of and respond to so their offers remain relevant in saturated online markets.
For the future of crypto, this means that systems will need to be shaped around mobile-first crypto platforms that incorporate reward systems and low-risk incentives. While Gen Z’s preferences set them apart from the generations that precede them, they highly reward organisations that meet and exceed their expectations. Crypto platforms and developers across industries must prioritise value, quality, and convenience. They need to look beyond their system as an investment service and recognise that user experience will ultimately dictate their success.
Conclusion
India’s Gen Z, although still young, has become a significant and influential force in shaping digital experiences, extending into the financial industry. They’re demanding more of service providers and prioritising convenience and speed in their spending habits. Despite being financially aware and making decisions to help foster financial independence early in life, they’re engaging in financial experimentation by investing in crypto assets that they aren’t simply buying and HODLing — they’re using crypto for micro-transactions and engage in reward-driven crypto use as well. As the generation continues to build influence in the financial sector, service providers and developers need to be proactive in meeting this generation’s unique, digitally focused desires in order to remain relevant.