# Sumit Gupta

Sumit Gupta is the Co-Founder and CEO of CoinDCX, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. His work focuses on the development of blockchain and financial technologies, with an emphasis on expanding digital asset adoption in India and internationally.

## Early Life

Sumit Gupta was born in the village of Rahi, Madhya Pradesh, where he attended a local Hindi-medium school until the fifth grade. Despite financial constraints, his parents emphasised the importance of education. During his 10th grade, he learned about the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and set his sights on gaining admission there. He later achieved that goal, graduating from IIT Bombay. Following his studies, he secured a position at Sony through campus placements, which led him to work in Japan. He also worked as a data research analyst at Columbia Business School. However, driven by a desire to contribute to India's development, he eventually returned to the India. Sumit Gupta demonstrated an early interest in entrepreneurship, starting his first business at the age of eight by selling video games in his hometown. In 2014, as Bitcoin gained popularity, he recognised the potential of blockchain technology for promoting financial inclusion. After graduating from IIT, Sumit Gupta worked at L&T Infotech and Sony before founding ListUp, a startup focused on buying and selling pre-owned electronics.

## Education

Gupta earned his degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, one of India's premier technology institutes. Sumit Gupta attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, where he obtained a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from 2009 to 2013. He later pursued a Master of Technology (M.Tech) degree in Communications and Signal Processing at the same institution, completing it in 2014. His academic background in engineering and technology has played a role in shaping his career in the technology and cryptocurrency sectors.
Sumit Gupta holds a Japanese Advanced (JLPT Level N3) certification from The Japan Foundation, New York and the Center for Global Partnership (CGP). He is also certified in advanced German by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and has a certification in Securities Markets from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM).

## Career

In March 2018, Gupta co-founded CoinDCX alongside his IIT Bombay mate Neeraj Khandelwal. The platform aggregates global liquidity and trading services, simplifying cryptocurrency trading for users. His company CoinDCX helps simplifying crypto investing for Indians. Sumit Gupta and Neeraj Khandelwal started their cryptocurrency venture from a small apartment in Mumbai, laying the foundation for what would later become CoinDCX. Within three years, the company achieved a valuation of over one billion dollars, making it India's first cryptocurrency unicorn and one of the most valued cryptocurrency businesses in the country. Gupta has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at educating users and the broader community about cryptocurrency investments. CoinDCX became India's first cryptocurrency unicorn after securing funding of ₹6.70 billion ($90 million) from investors led by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin's B Capital Group.
Sumit Gupta is also one of the founding members of the Bharat Web3 Association and is an active participant in driving VDA narrative in India.
Gupta met his co-founder of CoinDCX, Neeraj Khandelwal, nearly 14 years ago when they moved to Kota, Rajasthan, to prepare for entrance exams for engineering colleges. They formed a bond while navigating the rigorous preparation process for the Indian Institute of Technology entrance exams. Both later secured admission to IIT Bombay, where they pursued their studies.
The Blockchain and Crypto Assets Council (BACC), a subcommittee of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) focused on blockchain innovation, appointed CoinSwitch founder Ashish Singhal and CoinDCX CEO Sumit Gupta as Co-Chairs of its newly established Crypto Council.

## Industry Perspectives

Gupta has been vocal about the evolving landscape of the cryptocurrency industry. In a 2024 interview, he described the year as a turning point for the global crypto ecosystem, highlighting renewed market activity and a shift toward greater regulatory clarity, particularly following the U.S. elections.
As per Sumit's perspective Cryptocurrency is expected to play a significant role in India's ambition to achieve a $5 trillion economy. And Sumit believes that steady advancements in decentralised financial products are expected, contributing to the progress toward a more inclusive and equitable global financial system.
He strongly believes that Web3 has the potential to contribute to India's financial ecosystem by enhancing existing financial systems and introducing new opportunities for innovation and inclusion. At at Namaste Web3 conference Sumit said that India has the potential to emerge as a significant global hub for Web3 with the right technological advancements and regulatory framework.
Sumit Gupta's latest point of view is - with appropriate regulations, technological advancements, and continued investments, 2025 could serve as a foundational year for the growth of the global and Indian cryptocurrency ecosystem. Sumit believes that Bitcoin will remain a lasting presence in the financial landscape.
Sumit feels that the Indian cryptocurrency market presently lacks a domestic custody solution, creating a significant security and safety gap that requires industry-wide collaboration to address.
He participated in discussions on the coexistence of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and cryptocurrencies, highlighting their distinct roles within the financial system.
Sumit Gupta announced the establishment of a venture investment arm aimed at supporting early-stage crypto and blockchain startups.

## Recognitions

Fortune 40 Under 40: Highlighting influential young leaders.
Web3 Entrepreneur of the Year by Economic Times: Acknowledging Sumit Gupta's impact in the Web3 space.
Forbes 30 Under 30: Recognising young innovators and entrepreneurs.
Featured on the Hurun India list.
Sumit Gupta was featured in Entrepreneur India's 35Under35 list in 2021.