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ARTICLE · 05 MAY 2025

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From Digital Asset To Property: Examining Cryptocurrency's Status Under Indian Law?

Coinque Consulting
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The rapid adoption of cryptocurrency in India has sparked intense debate over its legal status, particularly its classification as property.

IndiaTechnology
Navodaya Singh Rajpurohit
Navodaya Singh Rajpurohit
Rithik Dhariwal
Rithik Dhariwal

1. Introduction

The rapid adoption of cryptocurrency in India has sparked intense debate over its legal status, particularly its classification as property. Despite its increasing use in transactions and investments, India lacks a clear legal framework defining whether cryptocurrency qualifies as property under existing laws. This ambiguity creates challenges in ownership rights, taxation, regulation, and legal protection, making it imperative to analyse its classification within India's legal system.

Cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoin, tokens and other digital assets, operates on decentralized blockchain networks, distinguishing it from traditional financial instruments. Unlike physical property or fiat currency, crypto exist solely in digital form, raising legal questions about whether they can be categorized as movable or intangible property under Indian law. The classification of cryptocurrency as property would have far-reaching

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