This a16z report delves into key indicators and trends, providing a thorough analysis of the industry in 2023.


TL;DR
- India is on its way to becoming one of the first Asian crypto hubs with new regulations coming its way.
- The Indian Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance will implement the IMF-FSB’s guidelines to build a healthy regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
India Is Building a Crypto Regulatory Framework
India is actively devising a cryptocurrency regulation rooted in the collective recommendations of the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Stability Board.
This may pave the wave for legal legislation within the upcoming half-year. The recent G20 Summit witnessed India making notable economic proclamations.


Yet, the standout verdict for the crypto sphere was the acceptance of the IMF-FSB’s guidelines on cryptocurrency regulations by India and fellow G20 countries.
These IMF-FSB guidelines advocate for market regulations over an outright ban. They provide a template of regulatory norms and proposals for G20 nations to individually and cooperatively sculpt their crypto laws.
What Are the Five Laws India Will Implement?
Here are some details on the five pylons India will work further:
- Implementing sophisticated Know Your Customer procedures for all crypto entities, encompassing the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and Extant Anti-Money Laundering protocols.
- Mandating crypto platforms to present proof-of-reserve audits to supervisory bodies periodically.
- Introducing a consistent taxation strategy globally
- Potentially elevating crypto exchanges to an authorized dealer status (akin to banks) per the Reserve Bank of India’s standards.
- Instituting mandatory roles, for instance, Money Laundering Reporting Officer for crypto platforms
It is remarkable how the global consensus is shifting towards the futility of a crypto ban. Numerous countries are now leaning towards regulation over prohibition.
The US and Europe have already cemented specific crypto laws, while India has ventured into taxation.
It becomes obvious that, with proper regulation, crypto can only thrive. Laws and guidelines will diminish the number of scams and hacks, making legitimate crypto businesses grow even bigger.
India’s Crypto Future
India’s call for an internationally coordinated approach to crypto regulation has been consistent. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has been echoing the sentiment at the last three G20 summits.
India currently lacks disting crypto laws but had instated a 30% tax on crypto earnings in 2022. However, the collaborative crypto guidelines can make India a new crypto hub.
The finance ministry’s commitment to a legislative framework can turn India into one of the biggest crypto countries.
However, the competition for the Asian market is high, as many crypto companies have turned their sight on this continent.
“If you don’t focus on Asia, you will think the metaverse and crypto are dead from the North American and the Western side. But it’s so hot in Asia. Hong Kong and Korea are the top two markets, followed by Japan and India”
Sandbox Co-founder, Sebastien Borget
But can India beat Hong Kong and Korea to become the first Asian crypto hub?
It remains to be seen as the opposition if these two countries will decide the concentration of crypto companies and investments in Asia…