US election, Donald Trump fuel crypto ad boom in India; players up spends by 15%

The United States presidential elections and the subsequent win of Donald Trump have ignited a crypto-favourable global sentiment.

Bitcoin soared to a record high above $82,000 on November 11 on expectations that cryptocurrencies will boom in a favourable regulatory environment following the election of Trump, who is pro-crypto candidates, to Congress.

Trump, who believes in "never sell your bitcoin", promised voters at one of his rallies that if elected, he will make the United States the "crypto capital of the planet" and to accumulate a national stockpile of bitcoin.

Trump's pro-business stance is to potentially influence global crypto-friendly policies.

In India, this could encourage the investors and crypto platforms to become more active as regulatory clarity improves globally, aligning with India’s growing interest in digital assets and financial innovation.

While crypto advertising in India remains cautious due to the current regulatory uncertainties, there is clear momentum among platforms that cautiously are increasing ad spend as they aim to educate and build brand presence.

Industry watchers tell Storyboard18 that crypto platforms have already increased ad spends upwards 20%.

Take for instance, CoinDCX.

The homegrown crypto exchange– CoinDCX, which has increased the advertising spends substantially, has onboarded former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir as its first ever brand ambassador in five years.

Having launched a new campaign alongside, the platform is stepping up as the 'Crypto Coach' for Indians to confidently engage with crypto.

Bitcoin's recent surge past $82,000 and the US election results have ignited a trading frenzy in India with CoinDCX recording its highest hourly volume this quarter. This surge in activity has already fuelled a 15-20% increase in ad spends.

Prashant Verma, chief growth and marketing officer, CoinDCX shares, "Key players in the Indian crypto space are further expected to ramp up investments to drive category consideration and user acquisition, with ad spending projected to grow nearly 100% in the coming months."

ZebPay, one of India's oldest crypto exchanges with a registered user base of over 6 million registered users, has also seen a 55% increase in trading volume, driven by Bitcoin’s rise and notable activity in other altcoins.

As more investors turn to Bitcoin, Raj Karkara, COO, ZebPay, anticipates this momentum could continue.

The promises that Trump has made during his election campaign regarding crypto and Bitcoin have been significant. His commitment to making the US the crypto capital and potentially making Bitcoin as a strategic reserve is revolutionary, add industry observers.

Once Trump begins implementing regulations, many countries including India might follow suit, though the frameworks will require time. With Trump’s win, regulatory progress may accelerate, remarks Edul Patel, CEO of crypto exchange Mudrex.

He notes that for Indian platforms, this means establishing clearer rules for them to expand towards the US and tap into a larger market.

"The alignment of U.S. policy with pro-crypto frameworks could set a global precedent, inspiring India to revisit its own regulations to foster growth in the crypto sector. This shift would empower Indian platforms to innovate confidently, attract more institutional investors, and enhance cross-border collaborations."

It is to be noted that the legal status of cryptocurrency in India is a complex issue with no straight answer. At present, India neither prohibits nor allows investment in the cryptocurrency market

Using cryptocurrency as a direct method of payment for goods and services is not legal in India as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are not recognised as legal money in India.

Additionally, the crypto market in the country remains largely unregulated. So while one can buy or sell cryptocurrencies on exchanges, there are no specific laws governing their use as a form of payment.

The government of India, however, has imposed a 30% tax on crypto gains.

Patel is hopeful that a well-defined regulatory landscape would also open opportunities for Indian exchanges to expand services, create new crypto-based products, and engage with a global user base.

So while the renewed visibility of international political figures like Trump might draw attention to crypto as an asset class, the real boom for crypto platforms in India will depend more on clear, supportive regulations that define how crypto is treated.

Ambika Sharma, Founder and Chief Strategist, Pulp Strategy highlights that currently, with increasing interest and participation from Indian consumers, crypto platforms are cautiously optimistic. They continue to engage with users, educate them on blockchain technology, and build trust within the boundaries set by India’s policies.

"With their high demand for digital engagement and targeted advertising, crypto platforms have the potential to boost India’s overall ad expenditure meaningfully. If they grow advertising budgets in the range of 15-20%, it could contribute to a slight but significant increase in India’s adex, particularly in digital ad spend," she shares.

However, their ad strategies will likely remain adaptive, balancing growth ambitions with regulatory developments.

Yasin Hamidani, Director, Media Care Brand Solutions concludes that platforms are likely to boost ad spending, potentially increasing by 20-30% in the short term.

This surge could contribute notably to India’s overall adex, as crypto firms invest heavily in awareness and engagement campaigns to capture a growing audience.