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Time of India
09-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mind Over Money: From F1 Tracks to Tennis Courts — How Sports Shape Ashish Singhal's Entrepreneurial Mindset
In the high-stakes world of startups, Ashish Singhal — Co-founder of CoinSwitch and Lemonn — finds his entrepreneurial rhythm on the Formula 1 track and the tennis court. For him, these high-intensity sports aren't just pastimes; they are masterclasses in precision, preparation, and mental resilience. In this edition of Mind Over Money, Singhal shares how split-second decisions, team coordination, and the ability to reset after setbacks translate seamlessly from sport to the volatile world of crypto and finance . From staying disciplined amid market swings to fostering a culture of consistency over fleeting brilliance, he reveals the playbook that keeps him — and his ventures — ahead of the curve. Edited Excerpts – Q) Ashish, you're a big fan of Formula 1 and tennis, what is it about these high-intensity sports that resonates with your mindset as an entrepreneur? A) What draws me to both Formula 1 and Tennis is the mix of precision, preparation, and pressure. In F1, milliseconds and micro-decisions can change outcomes. In Tennis, it is about individual resilience; no timeouts, no substitutions. You are out there figuring things out and adapting real-time. That is very similar to how I look at entrepreneurship. You prepare, plan, and execute but you also react, course-correct, and stay mentally sharp when things don't go according to the plan. Q) How do the strategy and composure in sports like F1 and tennis inspire the way you navigate high-pressure decisions in the startup world? A) Both F1 and Tennis are great examples of handling pressure with strategy and calm. In F1, it is not just the driver, it is the whole team working in sync, making split-second calls. That's a lot like how startups and most businesses function. You might be steering the ship, but without tight coordination and trust in your team, you are not going far. Tennis, on the other hand, really teaches you about patience and momentum. You are not going to win every point and that is okay. The key is how you bounce back, how you reset after a setback. In the startup world, it's the same. Some metrics dip, some launches don't go as planned but you learn to keep your head still, find your rhythm again, and keep pushing forward. Q) You enjoy content that challenges conventional thinking. Can you share a show or documentary that recently changed your perspective on something? A) I usually turn to content as a way to completely unplug from the noise of work and everything else. For me, it is about finding something that demands my full attention. This is the main reason why I gravitate toward shows that really challenge your thinking or keep you fully engaged, like Pantheon which I recently watched. If it doesn't occupy 100% of my mind, I will probably still be mentally stuck in work mode. The right kind of content helps me hit pause, reset, relax, and come back sharper. Q) How important is mental stimulation for you outside of work, and how do you ensure continuous learning in your personal routine? A) Mental stimulation outside of work is super important to me. I don't think learning is something that only happens through books or structured courses, it is everywhere. It happens in good conversations, during long walks, through a great documentary, or even while watching a game of competitive sport. I make it a point to carve out time in my day for inputs whether that is reading, listening, or just observing the world around me. It keeps me grounded and curious, and I honestly think that curiosity is one of the most underrated but essential traits for any founder. But above all, you learn the most by doing! Q) What role does mental discipline play in your journey as a founder, especially in the volatile world of crypto and finance? A) Discipline is the invisible thread that ties it all together. In crypto, things move fast, sometimes chaotically. If you react emotionally to every fluctuation, you will burn out or lose direction. I have learned to stay focused on what we can control: product, people, and purpose. Markets will swing and narratives will shift, but having a strong inner compass rooted in discipline helps you lead with clarity. Q) Have you drawn any direct lessons from sports like F1 or tennis that have shaped how you build or lead at CoinSwitch or Lemonn? A) Absolutely. One big lesson is that consistency beats flashes of brilliance. In both F1 and Tennis, the top performers are not just the fastest or most talented, they are the ones who show up, with discipline and intent. That is the kind of culture I try to build where we don't chase only highs, but focus on building with intention and innovation every single day. Another big one is preparation. Behind every 'effortless' moment in sport is hours of unseen work and I see startups in the same way. There are multiple teams working at the backend to fulfill requests and ensure seamless functioning, making it all look 'effortless'. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Economic Times
09-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Mind Over Money: From F1 Tracks to Tennis Courts — How Sports Shape Ashish Singhal's Entrepreneurial Mindset
In the high-stakes world of startups, Ashish Singhal — Co-founder of CoinSwitch and Lemonn — finds his entrepreneurial rhythm on the Formula 1 track and the tennis court. ADVERTISEMENT For him, these high-intensity sports aren't just pastimes; they are masterclasses in precision, preparation, and mental resilience. In this edition of Mind Over Money, Singhal shares how split-second decisions, team coordination, and the ability to reset after setbacks translate seamlessly from sport to the volatile world of crypto and finance. From staying disciplined amid market swings to fostering a culture of consistency over fleeting brilliance, he reveals the playbook that keeps him — and his ventures — ahead of the curve. Edited Excerpts – A) What draws me to both Formula 1 and Tennis is the mix of precision, preparation, and pressure. In F1, milliseconds and micro-decisions can change outcomes. ADVERTISEMENT In Tennis, it is about individual resilience; no timeouts, no substitutions. You are out there figuring things out and adapting is very similar to how I look at entrepreneurship. You prepare, plan, and execute but you also react, course-correct, and stay mentally sharp when things don't go according to the plan. ADVERTISEMENT A) Both F1 and Tennis are great examples of handling pressure with strategy and calm. In F1, it is not just the driver, it is the whole team working in sync, making split-second a lot like how startups and most businesses function. You might be steering the ship, but without tight coordination and trust in your team, you are not going far. ADVERTISEMENT Tennis, on the other hand, really teaches you about patience and momentum. You are not going to win every point and that is okay. The key is how you bounce back, how you reset after a setback. In the startup world, it's the metrics dip, some launches don't go as planned but you learn to keep your head still, find your rhythm again, and keep pushing forward. ADVERTISEMENT A) I usually turn to content as a way to completely unplug from the noise of work and everything else. For me, it is about finding something that demands my full is the main reason why I gravitate toward shows that really challenge your thinking or keep you fully engaged, like Pantheon which I recently it doesn't occupy 100% of my mind, I will probably still be mentally stuck in work mode. The right kind of content helps me hit pause, reset, relax, and come back sharper. A) Mental stimulation outside of work is super important to me. I don't think learning is something that only happens through books or structured courses, it is happens in good conversations, during long walks, through a great documentary, or even while watching a game of competitive sport. I make it a point to carve out time in my day for inputs whether that is reading, listening, or just observing the world around keeps me grounded and curious, and I honestly think that curiosity is one of the most underrated but essential traits for any founder. But above all, you learn the most by doing! A) Discipline is the invisible thread that ties it all together. In crypto, things move fast, sometimes chaotically. If you react emotionally to every fluctuation, you will burn out or lose direction. I have learned to stay focused on what we can control: product, people, and purpose. Markets will swing and narratives will shift, but having a strong inner compass rooted in discipline helps you lead with clarity. A) Absolutely. One big lesson is that consistency beats flashes of brilliance. In both F1 and Tennis, the top performers are not just the fastest or most talented, they are the ones who show up, with discipline and is the kind of culture I try to build where we don't chase only highs, but focus on building with intention and innovation every single day. Another big one is preparation. Behind every 'effortless' moment in sport is hours of unseen work and I see startups in the same way. There are multiple teams working at the backend to fulfill requests and ensure seamless functioning, making it all look 'effortless'. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
NDTV
13-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
"Rs 2 Lakh Fee For Class 3": Coinswitch CEO Highlights Major Issue Of Rising School Fees In India
Ashish Singhal, co-founder of CoinSwitch and Lemonn, weighed in on the major issue of rising school fees for primary classes as he highlighted a report which stated that the fees are increasing by 10-30% every year, outpacing middle-class income growth. In a LinkedIn post, Mr Singhal claimed that school expenses now consume nearly 19% of household income, and parents are even taking EMIs for kindergarten fees. "Started having conversations about school for my daughter. Shocked to hear what's going on. In Bangalore, parents are now paying Rs 2.1 lakh for 3rd standard. That's not an international school. That's regular CBSE," he further wrote. "Class 4 fees in Ahmedabad are around Rs 1.8 lakh annually." "One parent called out the Rs 2L fee for Class 3, saying even an engineering degree costs less," Singhal argued. Middle-class incomes have grown only 0.4% per year over the past decade, widening the gap between school costs and family incomes. Parents are juggling rent, transport, books and uniforms while trying to give their children the best future, leading to erosion of savings, sanity and family dreams. "The official data says education inflation is just 4%. But try telling that to the mom comparing 5 school brochures, or the dad doing mental math between rent and bus fees," Mr Singhal wrote. Mr Singhal urged fintech companies and policymakers to find ways to support middle-class families struggling with rising school fees, emphasising that education is becoming a luxury many can no longer afford. His post resonated with social media, with users flooding the comment sections with their own experiences. On user wrote, "This is the reality of schools in all the metros in India. Parents are silently struggling with high school fees." "And what do students get after 15-18 years of so-called education? Lost childhood to end up in jobs they hate because they did not get a chance to explore," another said. "Education, is becoming a burden even for middle-class families these days. Monetary growth is negligible versus growth in other necessity expenses," a third user said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rs 2.1 lakh for class 3 in "regular CBSE"? CoinSwitch co-founder explains how rising school fees are forcing parents to take 'EMIs for nursery'
Sending children to school has become one of the biggest financial pressures for middle-class families today. The co-founder of CoinSwitch and Lemonn Ashish Singhal recently raised the issue in a LinkedIn post, calling out the high school fees in India. '30% fee hike. If this isn't theft, what is?' he wrote, summing up the frustration felt by many parents. Rs 2.1 lakh for class 3? Ashish shared his personal experience while looking into schools for his daughter. He was shocked to learn that many parents in Bengaluru are paying around Rs 2.1 lakh per year for Class 3, and not even at an international school, just a regular CBSE one. 'One parent told me the Class 3 fees are more than the cost of an engineering degree,' he added. This isn't an isolated case. Across Indian cities, school fees are rising every year, often between 10% and 30%, far outpacing salary increases. School fees growing faster than salaries Official data says education inflation is around 4%, but parents are seeing a much bigger impact on their wallets. In cities like Ahmedabad, annual fees for Class 4 are close to Rs 1.8 lakh. Meanwhile, middle-class incomes have only grown by 0.4% per year over the past decade. Live Events The result? Families are now taking out EMIs just to pay for nursery or primary school fees. 'Forget saving for college,' Ashish said. 'Parents are now borrowing money for nursery.' Families under pressure This growing gap between school costs and family incomes is pushing many to cut down on other expenses or dip into savings. Parents are juggling rent, transport, books, and uniforms while trying to give their children the best future. 'This isn't just inflation,' Ashish wrote. 'It's erosion, of savings, of peace of mind, and of family dreams.' Once seen as the pathway to better opportunities, education is now becoming one of the biggest monthly bills for families. Ashish urged those working in banking, fintech, and policymaking to take notice. 'This is your user,' he said. 'Struggling quietly, cutting corners, still showing up. Find ways to make them win.'
India Today
16-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Think you're exempt from filing ITR? Your lifestyle may say otherwise
Many taxpayers believe that if their annual income falls below the basic exemption threshold, they are off the hook when it comes to filing their Income Tax Return (ITR). But as Ashish Singhal, co-founder of CoinSwitch and Lemonn, highlighted in a LinkedIn post that tax compliance is not just about how much you earn, it's also about how you spend.'You thought Income Tax Return was about income? That's cute,' Singhal said. Drawing attention to a lesser-known aspect of India's income tax rules, he explained that even those reporting zero taxable income on paper may still be required to file an ITR based on their lifestyle and financial activities. advertisementThe thresholds are surprisingly easy to cross, indicated Singhal. A foreign vacation that costs more than Rs 2 lakh, an electricity bill exceeding Rs 1 lakh in a year, or large deposits in a bank account, even without formal income, can all trigger the need to file a return. The logic, Singhal pointed out, is simple: if you're spending like someone with taxable income, the tax department wants a closer look. His post also serves as a timely reminder as the ITR deadline for FY25 (AY 2025-26) approaches. The deadline for filing ITR was recently extended to September also warned that many people inadvertently meet one or more of these criteria without realising it, especially professionals and freelancers who may not fit into traditional salaried brackets. 'So check your slips,' he wrote, 'and don't let lifestyle trip up your compliance.'Trending Reel
