India Implements Stringent Measures Against Offshore Bitcoin Exchanges, Blocking Major Platforms

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• India’s government has directed the blocking of nine major offshore cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance and Kucoin.
• The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on crypto services operating outside legal frameworks.
• “Director FIU IND has requested the blocking of URLs for these entities,” states the Ministry of Finance.

India’s recent decision to block access to multiple offshore cryptocurrency platforms marks a significant step in its regulatory measures, impacting the global crypto market.

Details of the Government Directive

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India has been instructed to restrict access to certain offshore cryptocurrency exchanges. This move is part of an effort to bring these platforms into compliance with India’s Anti Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) laws. The affected exchanges include Binance, Kucoin, Huobi, Kraken, and Bitfinex, among others.

Impact on Crypto Service Providers

These measures require all crypto service providers operating in India to register with the Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) and adhere to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. The directive emphasizes that the obligation to comply is based on activities conducted within the Indian market, regardless of the physical presence of these entities. The Ministry of Finance highlighted the registration of 31 crypto service providers with the FIU IND, demonstrating a shift towards stricter regulatory compliance.

Global Implications of India’s Decision

The decision by the Indian government has far-reaching implications, not only for the affected platforms but also for the global cryptocurrency landscape. This move indicates a growing trend of nations imposing stricter regulations on crypto services, particularly those operating from offshore locations. The aim is to curb illegal activities and ensure greater transparency and security in the crypto market.

Conclusion

India’s recent action against offshore cryptocurrency exchanges underscores the country’s commitment to enforcing its AML-CFT regulations. This move has significant implications for the global crypto market, signaling a shift towards more regulated and compliant operations. It remains to be seen how these measures will shape the future of cryptocurrency trading in India and globally.