The Orissa High Court in India ruled that cryptocurrency dealings are not illegal under Indian law. This decision arose from a case involving individuals accused of fraud through a Ponzi scheme. Justice Sasikanta Mishra clarified that cryptocurrency is not considered money under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act or a deposit under […]
Bitcoin News
Microsoft India X Account Hijacked by Crypto Scammers
Cryptocurrency scammers recently hijacked the official Microsoft India X account, which boasts over 211,000 followers, to impersonate Roaring Kitty, the pseudonym of well-known meme stock trader Keith Gill. Microsoft India’s X account, marked with a gold check indicating official verification, added credibility to the fraudulent posts. The hijacked account was used to reply to tweets, […]
Bitcoin News
India Repatriates 100 Tonnes of Gold From UK, Aims to Move More
According to local media reports, the Reserve Bank of India has repatriated 100 tonnes of gold that was held in the vaults of the Bank of England. The operation, carried out in special circumstances due to the quantity of gold moved, may be repeated as India seeks to hold more gold domestically for logistical reasons […]
Bitcoin News
Dabba Announces Expansion of 10,000 New Wifi Hotspots in India Through Depin Program
Dabba, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (Depin), has announced it will deploy 10,000 new wifi hotspots globally, aiming to enhance internet accessibility in underserved Indian regions. This expansion coincides with the upcoming token generation event on the Solana blockchain scheduled for July. Dabba’s Depin Initiative Targets India with 10,000 Wifi Hotspots The initiative, dubbed season […]
Bitcoin News
India Approves Crypto Exchanges Binance and Kucoin as Registered Virtual Asset Service Providers
Cryptocurrency exchanges Binance and Kucoin have successfully registered with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), a top official has reportedly confirmed. Both crypto exchanges were previously banned in India due to violations of the country’s anti-money laundering regulations. Kucoin and Binance Registered With FIU India The Financial Intelligence Unit – India […]
Bitcoin News
India Working on Offline Transferability of Digital Rupee, Says Central Bank Governor
India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is in the process of making its central bank digital currency (CBDC) available without relying on internet access. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has emphasized the importance of ensuring the digital rupee’s ease of use. RBI Governor Updates Digital Rupee Progress During an event hosted by the […]
Bitcoin News
India Announces ‘Successful’ Crackdown on E-Nugget Scam — Seizes $10M in Crypto From Exchanges
India’s Enforcement Directorate has declared its multi-year crackdown on the “E-Nugget” scam in Kolkata successful. The operation has resulted in cash and crypto seizures, along with the arrest of the mastermind. Investigations uncovered numerous dummy accounts and led to the freezing of digital assets at various crypto exchanges, which were then transferred to the ED’s […]
Bitcoin News
Crypto Exchange Okx Shuts Down Services in India Due to Regulations — Advises Users to Withdraw All Funds
Cryptocurrency exchange Okx has notified its users in India that the platform is shutting down services in the country “due to local regulations.” The exchange has advised users in India to “withdraw all funds” from their accounts by the end of April. The Indian government has not regulated crypto and the country’s finance minister recently […]
Bitcoin News
Apple and Google Remove Several Major Crypto Exchanges From App Stores in India Following Regulatory Crackdown
Apple and Google have removed several major crypto exchanges from their app stores in India after the Indian Financial Intelligence Unit flagged nine crypto service providers as operating illegally in the country. Various telecom networks and internet service providers in India are also blocking the websites of affected crypto exchanges.
India Continues Crackdown on Uncompliant Crypto Platforms
Tech giants Google and Apple have taken action against several major crypto exchange apps in India following the crackdown on offshore crypto exchanges by Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND).
On Saturday, Google removed major crypto exchanges like Binance and Kraken from Google Play Store in India while Apple pulled crypto exchange apps from its App Store a few days earlier. In addition, various telecom networks and internet service providers in India have also started blocking the websites of affected crypto exchanges.
In December last year, India’s Financial Intelligence Unit issued “compliance show cause notices” to nine offshore crypto firms. The government explained that all crypto service providers operating in India are required to register with the FIU IND as a reporting entity and comply with the rules set forth by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. The Ministry of Finance stated at the time that 31 crypto service providers have registered with the FIU IND.
The nine crypto firms that received a notice from the FIU IND are Binance, Kucoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bitstamp, MEXC Global, and Bitfinex.
Commenting on Apple removing its app, before Google implemented a similar policy, Binance Customer Support detailed on X Friday:
We are aware of an IP block affecting a number of crypto firms, including Binance. This only impacts users who attempt to access the Indian iOS app store or the Binance website from India. Existing users who already have the Binance app are not affected.
“The ongoing situation is not unique to Binance and impacts other web3 industry players as well. We are working hard to inform constructive policy-making that seeks to benefit every user and all market participants. All user funds are safe,” Binance Customer Support noted.
What do you think about Apple and Google removing crypto exchange apps flagged by the FIU from their app stores? Let us know in the comments section below.
India Cracks Down on Offshore Crypto Exchanges — Blocks Binance, 8 Other Platforms
The Indian government has directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to bar access to offshore cryptocurrency exchanges deemed illegal within the country. The nine affected crypto platforms include Binance, Kucoin, Huobi, Kraken, and Bitfinex. The Ministry of Finance also revealed that 31 crypto service providers have registered with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit to date.
India Blocks 9 Offshore Crypto Platforms
India’s Ministry of Finance announced Thursday that the Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) has issued “compliance Show Cause Notices” to nine offshore crypto service providers. The Indian government brought crypto service providers into the ambit of the country’s Anti Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) framework in March, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) Act.
The nine crypto service providers that were sent notices are Binance, Kucoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bitstamp, MEXC Global, and Bitfinex. The Indian Ministry of Finance stated:
Director FIU IND has written to Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to block the URLs of said entities that are operating illegally without complying with the provisions of the PML Act in India.
All crypto service providers operating in India are required to register with the FIU IND as a reporting entity and comply with the rules set forth by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. “The obligation is activity-based and is not contingent on physical presence in India,” the finance ministry emphasized.
The Ministry of Finance further shared that 31 crypto service providers have registered with the FIU IND to date. Earlier this month, the Indian government provided Parliament with the list of 28 crypto service providers that are registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit, including Coindcx, Unocoin, Giottus, Bitbns, Zebpay, Wazirx, Coinswitch, Mudrex, Buyucoin, Pyor, Valr, and Bytex.
What do you think about India blocking access to offshore cryptocurrency trading platforms? Let us know in the comments section below.