Zerodha Cofounder Nikhil Kamath Says He Holds Zero Bitcoin & Plans to Explore BTC in 2026

Zerodha cofounder has publicly stated that he holds zero Bitcoin, has never owned BTC, & does not yet feel informed enough to express a firm view on Bitcoin or blockchain. The comment, made during a public exchange on X with CoinDCX cofounder, has triggered a wider discussion across India’s crypto & capital markets ecosystem.

In an industry where loud conviction often substitutes for understanding, Kamath’s admission stands out for its restraint. Rather than endorsing or dismissing Bitcoin, the Zerodha cofounder chose a third path rarely taken by influential market leaders: openly acknowledging uncertainty & committing to learning.

• Why Kamath’s Statement Matters
  
• Connection to Nithin Kamath’s Crypto Warning
  
• Why the 2026 Timeline Is Significant
  
• Impact on Indian Retail Investors
  

Why Kamath’s Statement Matters

The conversation began when Sumit Gupta congratulated Kamath on the success of the WTF podcast in 2025, noting that millions of Indians had benefited from its conversations. Against that backdrop, Gupta asked a direct question about Kamath’s views on Bitcoin & blockchain evolved, & did he personally hold any BTC.

Kamath’s reply was unequivocal. He stated that he holds none, has never held Bitcoin, does not believe he knows enough to comment responsibly, & would like to take time to learn more next year. Gupta responded by respecting the candour, adding that curiosity must come before conviction, & offering to exchange notes on Bitcoin fundamentals.

Hi @nikhilkamathcio,

Congrats on the success of WTF podcast in 2025. I learnt a lot from it and I am sure millions of Indians also learned a lot too.

I have a question for you though!

You have spoken to many leaders like Elon Musk, Ray Dalio, Nandan Nilekani, Ruchir Sharma… pic.twitter.com/B0C67DhpjK

— Sumit Gupta (CoinDCX) (@smtgpt) December 24, 2025

At first glance, a founder saying he does not own Bitcoin may seem unremarkable. In reality, it carries disproportionate weight because of Kamath’s position in India’s financial ecosystem.

Crypto discourse in India has often been polarised. On one side are aggressive promoters framing crypto as inevitable. On the other are skeptics who view it primarily through the lens of risk & speculation.

Kamath’s statement cuts through both narratives. By admitting a lack of sufficient understanding, he implicitly acknowledges that Bitcoin is complex, not self explanatory, & not something that should be casually endorsed or dismissed.

Zerodha is India’s largest stockbroker, it serves millions of retail investors & plays a central role in shaping market behaviour. When a Zerodha cofounder speaks, the ripple effects extend far beyond social media.

Retail investors frequently look to brokerage founders as informal validators of new asset classes. Kamath’s refusal to project certainty may discourage impulsive decision making, especially among first time crypto investors who often equate founder endorsements with safety.

In modern financial discourse, founders are expected to have opinions on everything. Admitting ignorance is often perceived as weakness. Kamath’s approach challenges that norm.

Respect the candour, Nikhil. 👍

Curiosity comes before conviction. If you happen to spend time on it next year, happy to exchange notes, especially on Bitcoin fundamentals and how this space is evolving. https://t.co/I3DsM3ZR1k

— Sumit Gupta (CoinDCX) (@smtgpt) December 25, 2025

This learning first stance also aligns with how institutional capital typically approaches new asset classes. Large pools of capital do not rush in based on narratives alone.

Connection to Nithin Kamath’s Crypto Warning

Kamath’s position also fits into a broader pattern within the Zerodha leadership. His brother has previously raised serious concerns about crypto market risks, particularly around unregulated derivatives.

In a recent EtherWorld analysis, Nithin Kamath warned that offshore crypto derivatives platforms expose Indian investors to opaque leverage, weak consumer protection, & systemic risk. He argued that while innovation is important, unchecked financial products can scale losses faster than education.

Bitcoin operates as a global, permissionless monetary network. Crypto derivatives platforms, on the other hand, introduce leverage, liquidation mechanics, & counterparty risk that can amplify volatility.

Nithin Kamath’s warning focused on derivatives. Nikhil Kamath’s learning posture applies to Bitcoin itself.

Together, they draw an implicit distinction between understanding the base asset & questioning the structures layered on top of it. This distinction is critical for Indian investors, many of whom interact with crypto primarily through high risk derivative products rather than spot ownership.

Why the 2026 Timeline Is Significant

Kamath’s reference to learning next year places his exploration firmly in 2026. This timing is notable.

Globally, Bitcoin is entering a phase of increased institutional participation, regulatory clarification, & infrastructure maturity. In India, regulatory frameworks remain evolving, with taxation clarity but broader policy questions still unresolved.

By choosing to study rather than speculate during this transitional period, Kamath positions himself to engage with Bitcoin after more structural clarity emerges. It suggests patience rather than urgency.

Learning Bitcoin is not simply about price charts. It involves understanding monetary history, cryptography, network security, incentives, governance, custody models, & regulatory interfaces.

For someone operating at Kamath’s level, learning would likely involve studying Bitcoin’s role as digital gold, its relationship with fiat monetary systems, its energy debates, & its use cases beyond speculation.

This depth of study takes time. Kamath’s statement implicitly acknowledges that surface level exposure through podcasts or headlines is insufficient.

Impact on Indian Retail Investors

For Indian retail investors, Kamath’s stance sends a subtle but important message. Participation in new asset classes should follow understanding, not trend chasing.

At a time when crypto marketing often emphasises speed, opportunity, & fear of missing out, hearing a leading market figure say he is still learning may encourage a more measured approach.

It reinforces the idea that not investing is also a valid decision. India’s crypto future will not be shaped by hype cycles alone.

Kamath’s admission contributes to a more mature narrative where learning precedes adoption & credibility outweighs bravado. If more market leaders adopt this posture, India’s crypto ecosystem may evolve with greater resilience.

Nikhil Kamath’s statement that he holds zero Bitcoin & plans to explore BTC in 2026 is not an anti crypto stance. It is a pro understanding stance.

In an environment crowded with strong opinions, his willingness to admit uncertainty stands out. Combined with Nithin Kamath’s warnings on unregulated derivatives, it paints a picture of leadership that prioritises investor safety over narrative alignment.

If you find any issues in this blog or notice any missing information, please feel free to reach out at yash@etherworld.co for clarifications or updates.

Related Articles

1. India to Change Crypto Strategy as Global Trends Shift
2. An Indian bank enabling crypto services with UNICAS
3. India’s Consultation Paper on Cryptocurrency; RBI DG Statement
4. Jio x Aptos: How India’s Giant Is Turning Web3 Into Everyday Utility
5. Amravati to Put All Government Records on Polygon Blockchain