The Ultimate Guide to Entering the Chinese Cryptocurrency Market

The Chinese cryptocurrency market is one of the largest and most active in the world. Recent estimates suggest over 21 million crypto users across mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore—with more than 59 million holding crypto assets through underground or offshore channels despite mainland China’s strict bans. Asia accounts for roughly 60% of global crypto users, making the Chinese-speaking audience a critical opportunity. However, entering this market isn’t a simple copy-paste job: it’s a unique cultural landscape with distinct platforms, languages, and norms. Strategies that work in the West can crash and burn in China without local tailoring.

A key challenge is recognizing that the “Chinese market” isn’t monolithic. Mainland China’s crypto scene operates in a heavily regulated gray zone, while Hong Kong offers regulated opportunities, and Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia have open but distinct cultures. User behaviors and platforms vary across these regions, so a one-size-fits-all approach is doomed to fail. In short, the Chinese crypto community is massive but highly fragmented and culturally diverse. Western Web3 teams must adapt their growth strategies to engage Chinese-speaking users—from language and content style to leveraging local influencers and media—while navigating channels that won’t get them banned or ignored. In this guide, we’ll unpack why Western strategies often flop in China and the key success factors for entering the market right. Let’s dive in.

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Why Western Marketing Strategies Fail in China

Applying Western strategies to the Chinese market often leads to lackluster results. Here’s why they fail:

Treating China as a Homogeneous Market

Too many teams lump mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions together. In reality, these sub-markets have distinct regulations, community norms, and preferred platforms. What works in crypto-friendly Hong Kong may not fly in heavily censored mainland China. An industry insider recently put it bluntly: many Western projects think translating their website and running an airdrop is enough to “enter China,” and it usually fails. Without region-specific plans, projects either miss their audience or hit unexpected roadblocks.

Lack of Community Touchpoints “Read Now: How to Build a Chinese Community?”

Another common mistake is failing to establish dedicated Chinese-language channels. They’ve set up barriers within their own circles—circles that, since 2021, have largely shifted from domestic platforms (due to crackdowns) to international ones. We’ll dive deeper into this later, but if you’re not present on the platforms where Chinese crypto communities now live (e.g., Twitter, Telegram), your project is invisible to them.

Choosing the Wrong Influencers “Related Reading: How to Pick Effective KOLs”

Even teams that recognize the need for local Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) often stumble by picking the most famous ones without due diligence. In China’s crypto KOL space, follower count ≠ influence. Some influencers inflate their numbers or target the wrong audience for your project, resulting in campaigns that burn through budgets with zero real users. We’ll cover how to avoid this later, but it’s a major pitfall to note upfront.

In short, Western strategies fail in China because they overlook cultural fit, local language nuances, trusted community channels, and partner quality. The good news? By recognizing these gaps, you can pivot to avoid the same fate. Next, we’ll explore the critical elements for successfully entering the Chinese market—from working with Chinese influencers to crafting content and communities that truly connect.

Partnering with Chinese KOLs on X and YouTube

One of the most effective ways to build visibility and credibility in the Chinese market is through KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders)—essentially respected crypto influencers within the community. KOL marketing is critical in China’s crypto scene, largely due to the trust dynamics we discussed earlier. People are far more likely to discover projects worth following from influential social media voices than from official ads or corporate accounts.

Today, Twitter (now X) is a central hub for Chinese crypto discussions. After crackdowns in 2021 banned crypto content on platforms like Weibo, the Chinese community flocked to Twitter despite its official block. Surveys indicate ~85% of Chinese crypto users get their news via Twitter, far surpassing WeChat or any single news site.

YouTube is another key platform where Chinese KOLs thrive, particularly for long-form content like project reviews, tutorials, and market analysis. While YouTube is also blocked in mainland China, audiences in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and overseas Chinese communities access it freely—and even mainland enthusiasts often find workarounds. Some Mandarin-speaking crypto YouTubers boast large followings. Partnering with them for interviews, reviews, or explainer videos about your project can significantly boost your visibility among Chinese users beyond the Twitter bubble.

When partnering with KOLs, quality trumps quantity. It’s tempting to chase influencers with 500k followers, but ask yourself: Are these followers my target audience? Are they active and genuine? Many Chinese KOLs chase hype, shilling anything trendy (often called “speculative” KOLs), which leads to low conversion rates for loyal users. Partnering with smaller, niche KOLs who are respected and “authentic” in your sector—like a DeFi educator with a highly engaged following—can be more effective than a generic crypto influencer tweeting about random tokens hourly. Projects should prioritize KOLs with credibility and genuine engagement in your niche, even if their follower count is modest. Look beyond vanity metrics: check their posts’ likes/comments (are fans actually engaging?), and see if they have a history of over-shilling projects (a red flag). Often, long-term KOL partnerships yield better results.

Leveraging Chinese Media for PR

Beyond influencers and your own channels, don’t underestimate the power of Chinese crypto media. The Chinese-speaking world has a rich ecosystem of news sites, research portals, and forum-like platforms that many in the community rely on for information. Getting coverage or features on these outlets can significantly boost your project’s visibility and credibility among Chinese audiences.

Some key Chinese and Chinese-speaking region crypto media include: “See More: Contact Info for Chinese Crypto News Sites”

PANews

Founded around 2018, PANews is known for research-driven, analytical content. They publish in-depth articles, interviews, and even data reports. With ~200k–400k monthly visits, PANews attracts serious readers, including investors and industry insiders seeking deep analysis. If your project is technical or you want to establish thought leadership, a feature or guest article on PANews can lend significant credibility. (For example, a PANews reporter writing “Project X Brings Novel Scaling Solution to DeFi” with an interview from your founder can elevate your project’s serious image.)

ChainCatcher

Another prominent outlet focused on cutting-edge insights and project research. ChainCatcher often spotlights emerging trends and investigative reports. It attracts savvy investors with ~300k monthly visits and high user stickiness (users return often). ChainCatcher coverage is great for reaching hardcore crypto enthusiasts always hunting the next big thing.

Foresight News

Similar to BlockBeats, Foresight News provides round-the-clock crypto updates. They’re known for quick reporting and have a large readership. Projects often work with Foresight for press releases or short interviews to generate buzz quickly (e.g., before a token sale).

These outlets each have strengths, but together they form the backbone of Chinese crypto news. How to leverage them:

Consider a PR campaign to pitch press releases or exclusive stories to Chinese media. Ideally, hire a PR professional or agency with connections to these outlets, as introductions matter. Alternatively, some sites have submission portals or editors you can contact via email/WeChat (many list contact details). You’ll need press releases professionally translated into Chinese with a journalistic tone. Overtly promotional pitches won’t cut it; frame it as news (“Project X Announces Partnership with Y” or “Project X Launches Innovative Solution in [Industry]”).

Note that paid advertorials are common—many outlets offer sponsored article packages. There’s nothing wrong with paid placements, but ensure the content is high-quality and disclosed or crafted in a way that maintains credibility. The last thing you want is to be mistaken for a pump-and-dump scam. Informative paid content often performs better than overly hyped pieces.

Finally, localize your news narrative. Just like your own content, tailor the story to the Chinese context. For example, if your project is “entering the Chinese market,” mention hiring a Chinese community manager or launching Chinese channels in your announcement to show commitment. If relevant to Hong Kong’s regulatory environment or a trend hyped in Chinese media (e.g., a recent government blockchain initiative), weave it in subtly: e.g., “In response to Hong Kong’s push to become a crypto hub, Project X is exploring an office in Hong Kong.” Such details make your story relevant and newsworthy.

Building Local Communities via Telegram and Discord

Building a dedicated community is critical for sustained growth in any market—and this is especially true in the Chinese market. Given the social nature of crypto in China and how information flows, your official Mandarin community channels will be the backbone of your expansion efforts. Western projects often find that Chinese users won’t fully engage via English forums; you need to meet them where they are, in their language.

Today, the platforms of choice for Chinese crypto communities are Telegram and Discord. This might surprise those who associate Chinese users with WeChat/Weibo. Telegram, in particular, has become the hub for Chinese crypto groups, while Discord is popular for NFT/gaming communities. For Web3 projects entering the space, setting up a Telegram group (and/or Discord server) for Chinese users is the first step you should take.

Here’s how to do it effectively:

Create Official Chinese Channels

Start with a dedicated Telegram group for Mandarin-speaking users. If you already have a Discord, add a Chinese channel or section (and ensure you have Chinese moderators). For smaller, invite-only discussions, consider WeChat groups—but note that WeChat groups cap at 500 members and are harder to scale. A common approach is using WeChat for more curated communities (e.g., VIP investor updates or regional ambassador groups) and Telegram for broader public communities. Clearly promote these channels (in Chinese) on your website and Twitter so interested users know where to find you.

Drive Engagement and Deliver Value

Simply opening a channel isn’t enough—you need to make it active. Leverage your KOL and media efforts to grow it fast—e.g., when KOLs post about you, have them mention or link to your Chinese Telegram to drive interested followers. Host airdrops, giveaways, or AMAs specifically for new Chinese community members to incentivize early joins. (For example, “Join our Telegram and complete a simple task for airdrop points” can boost numbers fast—but be ready for a flood of airdrop hunters and have a plan to convert them into real community members.) Scheduling AMAs where your team answers questions in Chinese (with translation help if needed) is a great way to spark engagement. Chinese users will have lots of questions; engaging directly shows commitment.

Appoint Mandarin-Speaking Moderators/Community Managers

This is non-negotiable. Having an active community member who can answer questions and facilitate discussions in Mandarin will make or break your retention. Ideally, hire a native Chinese-speaking community manager or enlist a bilingual team member for the role. They should welcome new members daily, respond to project inquiries, share updates, and moderate discussions. Chinese users often expect fast, almost concierge-like responses—they’ll ask detailed questions in chats, and prompt answers from official team members build trust. Even major exchanges like Binance have execs jump into community chats to answer questions because users value direct communication. You don’t need to be online 24/7, but ensure someone’s available during Asian time zones, especially during big announcements or crises. If language is a barrier for your core team, hiring a community manager (part-time or via an agency) is well worth it.

In summary, treat your Chinese Telegram/Discord community like your primary community—because for those users, it is. Foster influence by offering proper language support, regular engagement, and respect for local communication styles. This turns curious onlookers into passionate community members who stick around long-term.

Conclusion

Entering the Chinese cryptocurrency market is both a challenge and a massive opportunity. As we’ve explored in this guide, success requires more than translating a few documents or running a generic ad campaign. It demands a holistic strategy tailored to the Chinese community’s cultural and practical needs.

Rather than just chasing quick wins, show you’re committed to contributing—whether through educating users, launching products that solve real pain points, or supporting the growth of the local crypto community. The earlier you start building influence and credibility, the better; in crypto, cycles move fast, and those who engage proactively will reap the rewards when the next wave of adoption hits.

So, for all Web3 teams eyeing the Chinese market: the time to act is now. The market is competitive but far from saturated—new, high-quality projects that make the right efforts to connect will be warmly welcomed. Use the strategies outlined in this guide as your toolkit. Do your research, localize your approach, partner with community advocates, and commit to the journey. By doing so, you’ll unlock one of the most active and sizable user bases on the planet—without getting banned, without missteps, and with a brand that Chinese crypto users trust and rally behind.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to translate my whitepaper and documents into Chinese?

Yes—strongly recommended. While many Chinese crypto users can read English, they often prefer native-language content for better understanding and trust. At minimum, prepare a Chinese version of your whitepaper (or a detailed summary), plus localized presentations, website sections, and how-to guides. Don’t just translate word-for-word; ensure terminology and examples make sense in context.

Q: Do we need a China-based team or marketing partner?

It makes a huge difference. Having a native Chinese-speaking marketing team (or agency) member who deeply understands the local culture is critical. They’ll navigate communications, negotiate with KOLs/media, and avoid cultural missteps far better than a Western remote team using Google Translate.

Q: What are the advantages of promoting via KOLs and Chinese media through ChainPeak?

As an agency, we have bulk negotiation power, offering prices far lower than projects sourcing individually. Long-term partnerships also unlock customized packages and annual discounts, saving over 30% on costs.

You may also need these resources:

Website: https://chainpeak.pro/

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/chainpeak

Global KOL Resource Group: https://t.me/globalcryptokol

Global Moderator Resource Group: https://t.me/web3modglobal

Book an online meeting with us: https://calendly.com/chainpeak/30min

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