Bengaluru, December 8, 2025 – Binance, the global blockchain company behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, concluded the Grand Finale of the Binance Case Challenge Season 2.0, further deepening its engagement with India’s academic community and strengthening its long-term investment in nurturing the country’s Web3 talent.
This year, the finalists from India’s prestigious universities presented at the Innovation Stage, Coca-Cola Arena, during Binance Blockchain Week 2025, offering a rare opportunity for Indian students to share their ideas on a global platform that brings together builders, policymakers, and innovators from across the industry.
A National Initiative Built for Depth, Insight, and Real-World Relevance
Season 2.0 saw 527 team submissions from 1,581 MBA students across 25 top-tier Indian business schools – a nearly ninefold surge in participation compared to the inaugural edition, which drew just 61 teams from 10 institutions. This sharp rise underscores the rapidly growing interest among India’s future business leaders in blockchain, digital assets, and Web3-driven innovation.
The problem statement addressed a central question in India’s financial evolution: Why does India have a significantly larger base of equity investors compared to the relatively small pool of individuals participating in Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)? Students were asked to propose actionable solutions grounded in market behaviour, product innovation, AI-driven insights, regulatory understanding, and community engagement.
Through a multi-stage process involving AI-driven screening, expert assessments, virtual pitches, and jury evaluation, the competition identified three finalists:
- The Misfits – SPJIMR Mumbai
- Team Cryptoknights – IIM Bangalore
- Team Tokken3 – IIM Lucknow
Supporting Young Talent With Global Exposure
The top three teams received an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai to present their ideas in a Grand Finale at the Binance Blockchain Week, giving students rare access to global perspectives, industry discussions, and an international audience. The Grand Finale jury comprised S.B. Seker, Head of APAC, Binance, and Staci Warden, CEO, Algorand Foundation, bringing together regional leadership and global blockchain expertise for the final evaluation. The finalists presented a 7-minute pitch followed by a 3-minute Q&A, evaluated on regulatory awareness, feasibility, user insight, storytelling, and strategic clarity.
The winning team, The CryptoKnights from IIM Bangalore, received USD 10,000; the First Runner-Up, Team Tokken3 from IIM Lucknow, was awarded USD 6,000; and the Second Runner-Up, The Misfits from SPJIMR Mumbai, received USD 4,000, recognising their research, insight, and innovative thinking.
Rachel Conlan, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, shared, “Season 2.0 of Binance Case Challenge demonstrates the scale of talent emerging from India and why the country is poised to play a defining role in the next chapter of Web3. Bringing them to Blockchain Week is intentional – it puts their ideas in front of global builders, regulators, and innovators, and that is where real learning happens. The clarity and ambition these students showed reaffirm our belief that the future of this industry will be shaped by sharp, informed thinkers who understand both innovation and responsibility.”
S.B. Seker, Head of APAC, Binance, added, “What stood out this season was the level of research and clarity in the students’ thinking. Their proposals balanced ambition with a strong understanding of India’s regulatory and economic realities. It’s encouraging to see this depth of talent, and it reinforces the importance of investing in platforms that give students both structure and global exposure. The ideas presented here offer valuable perspectives on how India could accelerate responsible digital asset adoption in the years ahead.”
By expanding academic partnerships, scaling structured learning initiatives, and opening global platforms to students, Binance is reinforcing India’s trajectory as a key centre for emerging Web3 talent.
