This document summarizes the Indian government's current stance on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), as of July 28, 2025.
Currently, the crypto assets sector, including NFTs, remains unregulated in India. However, the government has taken steps to address concerns related to money laundering and transparency. VDAs have been brought under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) since March 7, 2023. Income from VDAs is taxed under the Income-tax Act, 1961, and aspects of the sector are regulated under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Companies holding crypto assets are required to disclose these holdings in their financial statements, a requirement effective since April 1, 2021, as per amendments to Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013.
As of July 2025, there are no plans under consideration to revise the existing 30% tax on crypto gains or the 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on VDA transactions. Similarly, the government has no immediate plans to launch Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) for VDAs.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued advisories to the public, warning about the potential risks associated with virtual currencies/crypto assets, including economic, financial, operational, legal, and security concerns. Furthermore, the RBI has instructed its regulated entities to conduct customer due diligence for VDA transactions, adhering to KYC, AML, and CFT standards, and obligations under the PMLA, 2002.
Key Entities Referenced
Virtual Digital Assets: A class of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), that are the subject of the parliamentary question.
Non Fungible Tokens: A type of Virtual Digital Asset (VDA).
Shri Rao Rajendra Singh: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Shri Pankaj Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002: An Indian law under which Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) have been brought to regulate transactions involving them.
Incometax Act, 1961: An Indian law under which income from Virtual Digital Assets is taxed.
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, which has issued advisories regarding the risks associated with virtual currencies and crypto assets.
Companies Act 2013: An Indian law requiring companies with exposure to crypto assets to disclose their holdings in financial statements.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1340
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 28, 2025/ SRAVANA 6, 1947 (Saka)
Regulations for Virtual Digital Assets (VDA)
1340. Shri Rao Rajendra Singh:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to regulate cryptocurrency and other Virtual Digital Assets
(VDA) like Non Fungible Tokens (NFT);
(b) whether the Government has any plan to revise the 30 per cent tax on crypto gains and a 1 per
cent tax deducted at source (TDS) on all transactions related to cryptocurrency to boost the VDA
economy in the country;
(c) whether the Government has any plans on launching Exchange Trade Funds (ETFs) for
respective VDAs in order to integrate the aforementioned into mainstream financial markets, if so,
the time by which it will be implemented and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government for protection of investors in the above said domain?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a): The crypto assets sector, including Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), is currently unregulated
in India. Notwithstanding this, government vide notification dated 7th March, 2023 has brought
crypto assets/Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) under the purview of the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) to bring the transactions involving VDAs within the ambit of
PMLA. Further, Income from these assets is taxed under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and different
aspects of the VDA sector are regulated under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Additionally, Companies with exposure to crypto assets are required to disclose their holding of
crypto assets in their financial statements as per the amendment brought in Schedule III to the
Companies Act 2013, vide notification dated 24th March 2021 effective from 1st April 2021.
(b) to (c): At this stage, no such proposals are under consideration.(d): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued advisories warning users, holders, and traders
of virtual currencies or crypto assets about the potential risks, including economic, financial,
operational, legal, and security concerns. Further, RBI vide its circular dated May 31, 2021, has
also advised its regulated entities to continue to carry out customer due diligence processes for
transactions in VCs, in line with regulations governing standards for Know Your Customer (KYC),
Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT), obligations under
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, etc.
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