In India, over the past few years, the use of technology,
including blockchain, to fuel financial transactions has boomed
significantly. Such development has not gone unnoticed by most
regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India
("RBI") (Indian Central Bank) which has
reacted, for the most part, favourably. Whilst the present
government has supported innovation to promote a digital or
cashless economy, cryptocurrency still remains an outlier.
The RBI took notice of the use of cryptocurrency in open markets
around 2013 and has since responded by cautioning users, holders
and traders of the use of "virtual currency" while
remaining silent on the legality of its use, including in 2017.
Similarly, other regulators, such as the Enforcement Directorate
and Income Tax Department, have been swift in their actions to shut
down businesses associated with cryptocurrency by conducting raids
under the guise that the use of cryptocurrency was in violation of
foreign exchange and