As a researcher with a background in finance and economics, I have closely followed the developments in the Indian crypto market with great interest. The lack of clear regulatory guidelines for cryptocurrencies has long been a concern for investors and industry players in India, and the recent announcement of a discussion paper by the Indian government is a promising step towards addressing this issue.


Indian crypto users were left disappointed as no tax concessions were provided in the country’s 2024-2025 budget. However, there’s a possibility of a “policy paper” being unveiled prior to September 2024, which could provide insights into the government’s stance on the crypto industry.

The purpose of this discussion paper is to elicit feedback from key parties concerning the proposals presented within it.

India’s Crypto Discussion Paper

In a Moneycontrol interview, India’s Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth revealed that the upcoming discussion paper will propose methods for overseeing cryptocurrencies in India, which at present falls under anti-money laundering (AML) and electronic funds transfer (EFT) regulations.

One potential way to rephrase this sentence in a clear and conversational tone could be: “Another key aspects to consider are broadening the regulatory reach and determining our policy standpoint.”

A collaborative team consisting of representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is in the process of formulating a comprehensive government policy relating to cryptocurrencies. The draft for this policy is predicted to be completed prior to September.

Seth was quoted saying,

“The policy approach involves openly sharing a discussion paper with relevant parties and inviting their perspectives on the presented issues.”

India is set to publish a discussion document following the endorsement of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Stability Board (FSB) recommendations during India’s tenure as G20 president last year. The IMF-FSB joint report cautioned against aggressive actions, like an outright prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions, acknowledging the challenges in implementing such restrictions.

According to Sumit Gupta, the co-founder of CoinDCX, in an interview with CryptoPotato, he expressed optimism over the Indian government’s decision to form a cross-departmental committee to examine and issue a consultation document.

“This undertaking marks a substantial advancement in determining the direction of India’s burgeoning Web3 industry. As influential players within this sector, we strongly advise the government to solicit feedback from homegrown companies. Collaborating with domestic businesses will strengthen the regulatory structure, making it comprehensive, accessible, and favorable to new ideas.”

No Tax Relief for Indian Crypto Investors

India has yet to establish a comprehensive regulatory structure for cryptocurrencies. However, it is mandatory for crypto entities to register with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) in order to adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) guidelines set by international bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

As a seasoned investor with a deep interest in the cryptocurrency space, I’ve witnessed firsthand how regulatory decisions can significantly impact this burgeoning industry. The recent move to grant recognition to crypto exchanges as Reporting Entities under the Income Tax Act has undoubtedly provided a much-needed credibility boost for the sector. However, from my perspective, this progress comes with a caveat.

In a disappointing turn of events for the Indian cryptocurrency market, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman failed to announce any modifications to the current tax laws regarding cryptocurrencies during her 2024-2025 budget address.

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2024-07-26 07:32