According to a new report by blockchain data firm Chainalysis, APAC (Asia-Pacific) is now the fastest-growing region for cryptocurrency adoption.
On-chain transactions across APAC tripled between July 2022 and June 2025, jumping from about $81 billion to a peak of $244 billion in December 2024.
By mid-2025, monthly activity in the region sits at an impressive $185 billion, often surpassing North America.
This surge positions Asia-Pacific as a potential hotspot for blockchain-based iGaming innovation. Let’s look at some data and see how it affects players and the industry.
APAC Crypto Adoption Depends on Regulation
The pace of crypto adoption varies across major markets in APAC, as it is shaped by local economic and regulatory conditions.
Countries with clearer rules see faster adoption and higher confidence among players.
India
India remains the region’s largest market, processing over $338 billion in on-chain value.
Its growth is fueled by fintech integration, remittances, and a population of young, tech-savvy users.
However, ambiguous taxation and policy rules continue to slow crypto adoption. India’s 99% year-on-year increase reflects strong momentum from an already high base, not a sudden surge.
South Korea
South Korea sees crypto more like an investment than as everyday money.
Stablecoin usage is growing fast, with KRW-denominated stablecoins reaching $59 billion over the past year.
This trend is largely driven by new regulations, particularly the 2024 Virtual Asset User Protection Act.
Japan
Japan saw the biggest growth among top APAC markets, with a 120% year-over-year increase.
This surge is primarily due to new regulations enabling yen-backed stablecoins and updates to crypto taxation, which created clearer frameworks for adoption.
BTC, ETH, and XRP lead trading in Japan, with XRP alone representing $21.7 billion of JPY-denominated transactions.
Vietnam, the Philippines, and Pakistan
In these countries, crypto helps bridge the gaps in traditional finance, making it easier for people to send, receive, and use money.
Vietnam’s 55% year-over-year growth shows the market is maturing as crypto becomes part of daily life.
Player Expectations Are Evolving
The rise of cryptocurrencies, especially stablecoins, is changing what players in APAC expect from gaming platforms.
As Renz Chong, CEO of Virtual One, said in an exclusive interview with SiGMA World:” What used to be considered a ‘bonus feature,’ like instant withdrawals, is quickly becoming the norm”.
Players want faster, cheaper, and verifiable experiences across all games and platforms.
How Web3 & DeFi Help Meet Player Expectations
Web3 and decentralized finance (DeFi) are transforming iGaming. Players can now verify transactions, game outcomes, and random number generation (RNG) themselves.
Every bet, deposit, withdrawal, game result, and bonus claim is permanently recorded on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Smart contracts automate payouts and the distribution of player rewards without intermediaries, making the system fairer, faster, and fully verifiable.
This way, trust is not just a promise from the casino. It is built on math, encoded into the system, auditable, and verifiable by players.
How the Online Gambling Future Looks
APAC is leading the way toward faster, fairer, and more transparent online gambling experiences for players.
