Binance Bets Big on India: Inside Mumbai’s Blockchain Revolution

At the bustling Binance Blockchain Yatra in Mumbai, the city that “never sleeps” lived up to its legend — this time, as a beacon of India’s unstoppable blockchain ambition.

The session, moderated by veteran journalist Bhupendra Chaubey, brought together Rachel Conlan, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, and SB Seker, Head of APAC - Responsible Growth and Regulatory Cooperation.

What followed was a dynamic conversation that blended business vision, cultural connection, and a clear-eyed look at India’s digital future.

“Mumbai Is a City of Ambition” 

“Mumbai is a city of ambition, a melting pot — the beating heart of finance, commerce, and ideas,” said SB Seker, reflecting on why India’s financial capital tops his list of favorite cities. “Every city in India has its charm, but Mumbai encapsulates them all.”

For Rachel Conlan, visiting the city for the first time, the pulse was immediate. “Lively and dynamic was definitely my first impression,” she smiled, adding that her research into Indian culture included Bollywood Wives vs Splendid Lives — “a marketeer’s deep dive into local zeitgeist.”

India: The Next Blockchain Powerhouse

The conversation soon turned to India’s growing dominance in the global digital asset ecosystem — a sector Binance believes could redefine global finance.

“It’s not often that one company powers 50% of a market — especially one growing this fast,” said Sekhar. “We bring stability, opportunity, and education to empower users globally. In India, our mission is to accelerate what’s already an incredible growth story.”

Sekernoted how India’s crypto adoption is geographically uniform — cutting across metros, tier-two, and even smaller towns. “That’s not a challenge,” he said. “That’s an opportunity.”

“The World’s Largest Local Exchange”

Conlan described Binance’s unique position as “the world’s largest local exchange.”

“Through our investment arm, EZ Labs, we’ve funded over 10,000 startups globally,” she said. “With BNB Chain, we’re enabling builders to create the next generation of Web3 technologies.”

Her most striking statistic: India contributes 11% of the world’s crypto developers.
“That’s extraordinary,” Conlan said. “With education and support, this number will multiply fast.”

Beyond Regulation: Building with Responsibility

Asked about India’s reputation as a complex market, Seker countered with confidence.

“Every market is difficult, but India’s opportunity far outweighs any short-term challenge,” he said. “The regulatory framework is clear and navigable. Our focus is on understanding government priorities, collaborating closely, and building solutions that fit local realities.”

He added that India’s balanced adoption pattern — across regions and income groups — positions it perfectly for mass-scale digital transformation.

Public and Private: A Powerful Partnership

When Chaubey referenced Maharashtra’s $1 trillion economy target, Conlan drew a direct parallel to Binance’s collaboration-driven ethos.

“The marriage between public and private sectors is critical for this industry’s future,” she said. “We work with regulators, universities, and law enforcement to build education and capacity. Sustainable growth requires that partnership.”

“We’re here to learn what India needs — and to share what’s working in other markets like the UAE,” she added. “That’s how we unlock opportunity.”

Tokenizing the Real World

One of the most compelling moments came when the discussion shifted to tokenization of real-world assets, including land — a frontier where India could lead.

“Real estate investment has always been limited by illiquidity and red tape,” said Sekhar. “Blockchain changes that — it makes ownership fractional, transparent, and globally accessible.”

He revealed that Binance has already partnered with Franklin Templeton, the $1.6 trillion asset management giant, to bridge traditional finance with blockchain distribution.

Conlan added, “Whether it’s institutional investors or everyday users transferring funds across cities, we provide the rails and the access. Two years from now, this space will look unrecognizable — and that’s what excites us.”

Trust: The Currency of the Future

When it comes to money, trust is everything — and Sekeroutlined exactly how Binance earns it.

“You earn trust; you don’t demand it,” he said. “Asset protection, cybersecurity, compliance, and real-time fraud prevention — these are non-negotiable.”

He shared impressive data:

• $10 billion in assets protected via real-time monitoring
• 200,000 law enforcement requests processed globally
• $4.3 billion in recovered funds
• 22% of Binance’s workforce dedicated to compliance

“We’ve also built a $1 billion SAFU fund to protect users — because insurance hasn’t caught up yet,” Sekersaid. “We’re building the foundations of trust for the next 30 years.”

Conlan added that education remains Binance’s most powerful trust tool.
“Through Binance Academy, more than 43 million people have accessed learning modules in 33 languages,” she said. “It’s a free, masterclass-style platform that meets users wherever they are in their journey.”

“Think Big, Be Bold”

As the session drew to a close, Chaubey joked that Binance might “book the entire hotel” next time.

Conlan laughed. “We like to think big and be bold — that’s one of our core values,” she said.

Before stepping off stage, she added a personal reflection:
“The two things that matter most to Indians — Bollywood and cricket — both stand for passion, creativity, and ambition. That’s the energy we feel here.”

India’s Blockchain Awakening

The Binance Blockchain Yatra in Mumbai wasn’t just a conversation about crypto; it was about India’s transformation into a global digital force — where innovation, regulation, and national ambition meet.

As Chaubey wrapped up, the room echoed with optimism.

“India’s blockchain journey is just beginning — and Binance is ready to grow with it.”

“It’s a privilege to be part of this growth story,” Seker said.
“And we take that privilege seriously.”