How to Enter the Chinese Web3 Market in 2025

The Chinese Web3 market in 2025 represents massive untapped potential. China has over 1.1 billion internet users – the world’s largest online population. Yet only around 59 million people in China (about 4% of the population) are crypto owners, indicating huge room for growth as adoption catches up. Despite a 2021 ban on crypto trading, demand persists: mainland Chinese users continue finding ways to buy Bitcoin and Tether via gray markets.

Global crypto projects are increasingly looking East because the next wave of crypto growth in China and Asia could be transformative. Analysts even predict Asia, led by China and its neighbors, might catalyze the next major crypto bull run. In short, China’s vast, tech-savvy user base is too large to ignore – and those who can successfully engage it stand to gain a major advantage.


Timing: When to Enter the Chinese Web3 Market


Choosing the ideal timing for market entry is critical. The consensus is that projects should approach China only after reaching certain milestones in their development:

  • After Product-Market Fit: Ensure your dApp or protocol is battle-tested with a core user base and proven use case before courting Chinese users. A project that has solved a real problem will resonate more than a raw idea. Entering too early, without a stable product, risks losing credibility if hype outpaces substance. Chinese crypto users have seen many short-lived projects – they will quickly disengage if you can’t back up your marketing with a solid product.


  • Around Testnet or Beta Launch: A popular entry point is when your testnet is live or a beta version is ready. This gives Chinese enthusiasts something tangible to play with. Many Chinese crypto users eagerly join testnets (often hunting for potential airdrops or early adopter perks). By inviting them at this stage, you not only generate buzz but also gather valuable feedback. For example, one global DeFi project ran a campaign with Chinese testers during its testnet; it attracted thousands of sign-ups and helped the team refine the UX for Chinese audiences. Timing your China push with a testnet means you have a functional product for users to actually try, not just promises.


  • Before a Token Presale or Listing: If you plan a token sale, consider building awareness in China a few weeks or months in advance. Chinese retail investors are famously keen on getting into promising tokens early. Announcing your project on Chinese forums or Telegram groups ahead of a token presale can drum up interest and even strategic investment. By the time you conduct the sale, you’ll have a base of informed Chinese supporters rather than last-minute speculators. However, caution: do not treat Chinese engagement as merely a pump for your token. If a flood of Chinese buyers join your presale, you must be ready to support them post-sale (with local community managers, Mandarin documentation, etc.) to convert them into long-term participants. In short, align market entry with major project milestones – when you have news, a working product, or an upcoming token event – so that Chinese users have a reason to care and you have the bandwidth to support them.


Channels and Strategies by Stage


Entering China is not a one-step effort – it’s a journey. Different stages of your expansion will call for different channels and tactics. Below are key pathways to reach Chinese crypto users, and how to leverage them at each stage:

  • Leverage KOLs for Early Awareness: In the crypto world, KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) – essentially influencers – are kingmakers, especially in Asia. At the initial awareness stage, partner with Chinese-speaking KOLs on international platforms like X (Twitter), YouTube, and Telegram. Many Chinese crypto enthusiasts congregate on these global platforms (using VPNs if needed) to get the latest alpha. Identify a few credible KOLs whose content aligns with your project’s domain (DeFi, NFTs, gaming, etc.) and engage them to introduce your project. This could be via a tweet thread, a YouTube review, or an AMA in a Telegram channel. For example, a well-known Chinese Web3 KOL on Twitter can drive faster awareness than any ad campaign, as their followers trust their insight. Make sure to provide the KOL with a demo or exclusive info so their coverage is insightful rather than just a paid shill. Early-stage KOL marketing should focus on education – explaining your project’s value in Chinese – to seed genuine interest.

Don’t know which are the high-quality Chinese KOL resources? Click to check now!

  • Crypto-Native Media for Credibility: As you approach launch or a significant milestone (mainnet launch, major partnership, etc.), tap into Chinese crypto media outlets. Platforms such as PANews, BlockBeats, Odaily, 8BTC, and ChainCatcher are widely read by China’s blockchain community. Getting featured in these outlets lends authority and reaches users who might miss social media posts. Options include press releases, sponsored articles, or interviews. For instance, you could work with a journalist at PANews to publish a deep-dive on your project’s technology in Mandarin. Media coverage has a long tail – articles get shared in WeChat groups and aggregated on other sites, continually building awareness. Just ensure any content is localized (don’t just copy your English press release – have it professionally translated and culturally adapted). These publications often also run WeChat newsletters or apps, extending your reach into more traditional channels. Appearing in respected Chinese crypto press signals that you are serious about the market and willing to communicate on local terms.


  • Community Building and Social Platforms: Once you’ve made an initial splash, it’s crucial to grow an actual community in China. This means creating spaces and content for Chinese users to engage directly with your team. Telegram is a popular choice for global crypto communities and is widely used by Chinese crypto users (despite internet restrictions). You should set up an official Telegram group (or a Discord server with a dedicated Chinese channel) and have Mandarin-speaking community managers or moderators. Encourage discussions, host regular AMA sessions timed for Asia-friendly hours, and share updates in Chinese. Some projects also run WeChat groups for a more personal touch, although WeChat groups cap at 500 members and require more hands-on management. Weibo (China’s Twitter equivalent) can be useful for broadcasting announcements to a broader audience, and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) or Bilibili (video platform) can be explored for creative content like short explainers – but note that direct crypto promotion on domestic platforms must be done carefully to avoid censorship. A good strategy is to use WeChat or Weibo for community updates and education (e.g., explaining how to use your dApp, posting Mandarin how-to guides) while keeping any price talk or token sales promotion to the international channels. Additionally, consider task incentive campaigns popular with Chinese users – for example, using platforms like Quest3 or Galxe to create quests (follow, retweet, invite friends, try the app) that reward users with points or NFT badges. These gamified campaigns can jumpstart your community growth and get users familiar with your product. As your Chinese user base grows, continue nurturing it with localized content: blog posts translated into Chinese, Chinese subtitles on your tutorial videos, and even a Chinese version of your website or app interface. All these efforts show commitment to the market.


  • Stage-Appropriate Channel Mix: The channel strategy will evolve as you progress. Early on, you might rely on a handful of KOL shoutouts and one media article to test the waters. As interest builds, you’ll increase efforts: perhaps coordinating a media blitz (multiple articles across outlets timed with your token launch) alongside a KOL live stream event. In the long run, your own channels (WeChat official account, localized Twitter/X feed, etc.) and community word-of-mouth become the primary drivers. Many successful projects use a multi-channel approach, for example: a presence on X/Telegram to capture the crypto-savvy crowd, plus a presence on WeChat/Weibo to appear in more mainstream tech circles. Adjust the mix based on what yields engagement. If you notice, say, that your Chinese Telegram group is exploding but your Weibo is quiet, focus on Telegram where your core crypto audience is. Conversely, if media articles send a lot of traffic to your site, keep that momentum with a regular cadence of news (e.g. monthly project updates given to Chinese press). The key is to be omnipresent (within reason) in the Chinese online ecosystem – meet users wherever they consume information. By using KOLs for quick reach, media for trust building, and community channels for retention, you cover the full funnel from awareness to adoption.


Common Mistakes to Avoid


Entering the Chinese market requires a thoughtful approach. Many well-intentioned projects make mistakes that limit their success. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

  • Relying Only on English Content: Perhaps the biggest mistake is assuming your existing English materials and channels will suffice. They won’t. Only ~25% of global internet users speak English, and China’s users overwhelmingly prefer content in Chinese. If you announce a partnership or publish a whitepaper only in English, Chinese readers will likely ignore it. Localization is not optional – it’s mandatory. This goes beyond just translating a tweet now and then. You need a cohesive Chinese content strategy. That includes having a Chinese whitepaper or litepaper, Mandarin subtitles or voice-overs for key video content, and regular Chinese social posts. Be especially wary of quick fixes like machine translation – auto-translating your website or docs is never a good idea. Poor or awkward translations will make your project look unprofessional and deter users (or even lead to misunderstandings). Invest in human translators or community volunteers who understand crypto terminology. Showing that you speak your audience’s language is step one in earning trust.


  • One-Off Hype Campaigns: Another frequent mistake is treating Chinese marketing as a short-term hype machine. Projects sometimes pay for a single promoted tweet from a big KOL or run a week of ads, then call it a day. This yields a quick spike in attention but no lasting community. Remember that trust isn’t built in one post or one week. Crypto is a relationship-driven space where users need repeated exposure and engagement to truly buy in. Don’t “fly in and fly out.” If you do a campaign with a Chinese influencer, plan follow-up content and interactions. If you host one AMA, be prepared to answer questions that arise in the days after. It’s better to have a sustained presence on two or three channels for months than a blitz on ten channels that dies out in days. Avoid the “hire KOL, get hype, disappear” cycle – Chinese users will remember, and it will be harder to regain credibility later.


  • Neglecting Community Support: You may launch with fanfare, but who will answer when Chinese users start asking questions at 3 AM your time? Failing to have Chinese-speaking community managers or support staff is a critical mistake. If interested users arrive in your Telegram and find only English FAQs or admins who can’t communicate in Mandarin, they’ll lose interest. Ensure you have at least one fluent Chinese moderator to welcome newcomers, answer basic queries, and relay feedback to the core team. Also, pay attention to time zones – schedule some announcements or AMAs in Asia-friendly time slots, so Chinese users aren’t always catching news in the middle of the night.


  • Ignoring Cultural Nuances and Regulations: What works in Western marketing might not land the same way in China. Memes, jargon, or humor often get “lost in translation.” It’s a mistake to copy-paste your Western campaign without tweaking the messaging. For example, references to Reddit or certain pop culture memes might fall flat in China where Weibo or Bilibili cultures differ. Work with local advisors to craft messages that resonate. Moreover, be mindful of regulatory red lines. Chinese authorities frown upon open promotion of cryptocurrency trading. Avoid overly aggressive language like “invest now” or any implication of guaranteed profits – not only could that get you in legal trouble, it also erodes trust with a very skeptical audience. Stick to education and technology aspects in public-facing content. Platforms like WeChat also censor or restrict crypto content; a common mistake is trying to run crypto ads or public posts on WeChat and getting your account banned. Use WeChat primarily for community building and content marketing (e.g. informative articles), not overt token promotion. In summary, localize your approach both linguistically and culturally.Check out the KOL Marketing Pitfall Avoidance Guide for Free!

By sidestepping these pitfalls – language neglect, short-term thinking, poor support, and cultural missteps – you greatly increase your chances of success in the Chinese market. Learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t have to repeat them.



Conclusion


Cracking the Chinese market requires more than a translated tweet – it demands a genuine commitment to localization, relationship-building, and cultural respect. The effort is well worth it. China’s enormous base of crypto-curious users is an opportunity no global Web3 project should ignore, but winning them over means speaking their language (literally and figuratively). Engage Chinese-speaking KOLs who can effectively bridge your message to local communities. Build your presence on native platforms and channels that Chinese users actually use – whether that’s sharing project updates through a WeChat article, hosting AMAs in a Mandarin Telegram group, or collaborating with popular YouTube creators known in Asia.


Always prioritize delivering value and education, not just hype. If you localize your content, nurture real dialogue, and show long-term commitment, Chinese users will reward you with real adoption and passionate community support. In 2025 and beyond, East-West collaboration in crypto will only grow. Projects that lay the groundwork now – with the right timing, pathways, and mindset – will ride the next wave of growth coming from the Chinese crypto market. By embracing China’s unique ecosystem and Web3 KOL strategy, you can turn a massive untapped audience into the next loyal user base for your project.



FAQs


Q1: When is the best time to start marketing to Chinese crypto users?

A1: Ideally after you have something tangible – for example, post-product-market fit or when your testnet is live. Enter once you can demonstrate value and support new users. Many projects begin outreach around a testnet launch or token presale to build early momentum.


Q2: Which channels are most effective for reaching the Chinese Web3 community?

A2: Leverage global platforms that Chinese crypto users frequent. Twitter (X) and YouTube are key for influencer content, while Telegram is widely used for community chats. For local reach, use Chinese crypto news sites and maintain a WeChat or Weibo presence for sharing translated updates.


Q3: Do we need to translate all our content into Chinese?

A3: At minimum, translate key content – your whitepaper, website landing page, and important announcements – into Simplified Chinese. It’s crucial for building trust. Relying only on English will alienate most Chinese users. Quality matters, so use skilled translators to ensure the messaging resonates.


Q4: What are the advantages of collaborating with ChainPeak and Chinese KOLs for promotion and distribution?

A: As an institution, we have bulk purchasing power, which allows us to offer prices significantly lower than those available to project teams working independently. Long-term partnerships also qualify for customized packages and annual discounts, saving over 30% in costs.


Additional Resources:

Back

© ChainPeak. All Rights Reserved.