India Reviewing Crypto Position Due to Global Changes, Economic Affairs Secretary Says

Seth said that because such assets "don't believe in borders", India's stance cannot be unilateral.

By Reuters | Updated: 3 February 2025 12:54 IST

India Reviewing Crypto Position Due to Global Changes, Economic Affairs Secretary Says

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Kanchanara

Current valuation of the sector stands at $3.04 trillion (roughly Rs. 2,64,76,869 crore)

Highlights

Cartesi, Braintrust, Ardor registered losses
Stablecoins like USD Coin have maintained 1:1 ratio with USD
Iota saw gains alongside Bitcoin Hedge

India is reviewing its stance on cryptocurrencies due to shifting attitudes towards the virtual asset in other countries, a senior government official told Reuters on Sunday.

The review, which follows crypto-friendly policy announcements by US President Donald Trump, could further delay publication of a discussion paper on cryptocurrencies that was due for release in September 2024.

"More than one or two jurisdictions have changed their stance towards cryptocurrency in terms of the usage, their acceptance, where do they see the importance of crypto assets. In that stride, we are having a look at the discussion paper once again," India's Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth said in an interview.

Why El Salvador Is Making Bitcoin Payments Voluntary for Merchants

Seth said that because such assets "don't believe in borders", India's stance cannot be unilateral.

He did not specifically mention the United States, where Trump last week ordered the creation of a cryptocurrency working group tasked with proposing new digital asset regulations and exploring the creation of a national cryptocurrency stockpile, making good on his promise to overhaul US crypto policy.

Indians have poured money into cryptocurrencies in recent years despite the country's tough regulatory stance and steep trading taxes.

French Investigators Open Fraud Probe Against Binance

India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) issued show-cause notices to nine offshore cryptocurrency exchanges in December 2023 for non-compliance with local rules.

Binance, the world's biggest crypto exchange, was hit with a fine of 188.2 million rupees ($2.25 million or roughly Rs. 19.5 crore) in June 2024, a month after it registered with the FIU in an effort to resume operations in the country.

Last year, India's market watchdog recommended that several regulators oversee trade in cryptocurrencies, in a sign that at least some authorities in the country are open to allowing the use of private virtual assets.

That position stood in contrast to statements by the nation's central bank, which has maintained that private digital currencies represent a macroeconomic risk.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.