India Cracks Down On Crypto: Regulators Favor CBDC In Push Vs. Bitcoin & Co.

India is leaning toward the total prohibition of private cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum in an attempt to regulate risk in its current volatile market.

The government said they will have a preference for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), as they provide all the benefits of private cryptocurrencies, without having the potential for instability or potential for misuse.

Regulators added that CBDCs don’t necessarily need to meet the goals of financial inclusion often associated with cryptocurrencies. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) supports CBDCs as this can achieve a safer alternative that can still attain financial inclusion goals usually tied to cryptocurrency.

The Growing Adoption Of CBDC In India

In 2022, India launched its digital rupee, e₹. Introduced with over 5 million users and 16 participating banks, the initiative is gathering great momentum, one that perhaps has the promise to define the future of digital finance in India. The digital rupee is currently in use in targeted programs.

BTC market cap currently at $1.32 trillion. Chart: TradingView.com

According to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, this would mean more efficient, securely delivered financial services targeted at resources and vulnerable sections of society. With the pilot projects gaining momentum and succeeding, the Indian government will look towards further increasing the scope for CBDC, not only for domestic use but also in the enhancement of cross-border transactions, which may revolutionize international trade and remittances.

This expansion will further cement India’s position in the global financial landscape; this improvement is also likely to bring about greater economic inclusion and digital financial transformation across most sectors.

India's great wonder, the Taj Mahal. Image credit: Kriangkrai Thitimakorn via Getty Images.

Crypto: Regulatory Shifts And Taxation

The relationship of cryptocurrencies with India had been in a state of flux. Crypto trading made a comeback in 2020 when the Supreme Court abolished the ban on cryptocurrency transactions in 2018. Still, since then, India has been following a pretty stern tax policy as it classifies cryptocurrencies as Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) and taxes the income at a rate of 30% and transactions over INR 10,000 at a rate of 1% TDS.

Image: Ecoinomy

Although the government recognizes the promise and intriguing nature of blockchain and crypto technology in generalized use, such as tokenizing government securities to be utilized for enhanced security, it still harbors several apprehensions about private currency.

This will still lie within the discretion of India to maintain stricter regulation, up to an absolute ban of private cryptocurrencies at large in this context, especially after the submission of the synthesis paper endorsed by the Financial Stability Board and International Monetary Fund back in 2023.

Meanwhile, the CBDCs will remain the favorite and a possible template for the regulatory choices since the latter decisions rely on the consultation process that would be appropriately conducted.

Featured image from Synergia Foundation, chart from TradingView