The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took a bold step by imposing a ban on cryptocurrencies, leading to anger and confusion among the crypto investing community in India. This ban covers all activities involving cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and restricts the transfer of funds from specific bank accounts to cryptocurrency wallets.
This is a bold move from the RBI and could signal India’s stance on crypto currency or could mean something bigger within the industry as this ban could potentially put many companies based in India out of business.
“We have chosen to protect RBI regulated entities from the risks of engaging with firms related to virtual currencies. They must immediately end any business relationships with these entities and terminate any existing ties within three months,” said RBI deputy director BP Kanungo.
In comparison to the world stage, India is not a big player in the cryptocurrency market but the usage of cryptocurrency-based revenue from raising capital based on the trading of digital currencies, has lead the way for new and innovative companies to become operational. These businesses stand to offer a collection of desperately needed services and products which could spell disaster for the economy in the future. The bad news for Indian economics doesn’t stop there because this ban also pertains to the amount of incredibly talented blockchain developers and other similar talent who will now have to peruse opportunities elsewhere in the world.
While India is not a huge market for Bitcoin from a global perspective, development of blockchain related products and services has been growing and launching a number of innovative companies offering real solutions in a country that desperately needs them. This ban not only threatens the survival of these companies, but also has the potential to lead to a massive drain of talent as blockchain developers follow opportunity elsewhere.
What is the solution for India?
To understand the decision for the ban, we must understand the issues surrounding cryptocurrency in India and understand the rational for the country’s apprehension. There is still an opportunity for India to embrace Cryptocurrency but not before addressing the risks and criminal behavior that has been plaguing the crypto market in India
According to Experian, identity theft is the largest contributor to fraud in India. Globally, it’s a $200 billion dollar problem every year. In India, a whopping 48% of online users are hit by fraud.
The banking industry in India has experienced setbacks in recent years and that has left the institute in shambles. The first major issue was the issue of NPAs, followed by demonetization and now finally with recapitalization of banks. All of these changes have had a huge impact on the industry but there is a blockchain solution which can help to repair the damage and balance the industry again. The solution lies with a company called Primechain Technologies. Founded in 2016, Primechain is developing blockchain-based solutions for the Indian banking system, including a blockchain powered technology platform for authentication, verification and data storage.
Finally, there is a startling statistic outlining a spike in property related civil suits and currently these cases account for 66% of civil legal proceedings in India. There is a blockchain solution to address this as well. In 2016 FinTech Valley Vizag was launched in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh. Vizag has attracted $900 million in investment and responsible for the creation of over 5,000 jobs. Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to adopt blockchain for governance.
It is not all bad news however….
India has taken a strong stance on cryptocurrency but in the same breath, made a declaration to develop and support a state-owned version of cryptocurrency which might have everything to do with the recently imposed ban. It appears that India is not completely against the commercial benefits of cryptocurrency, the nation just wants to make sure they can capitalize on the potential benefits of the market and implement their own version for the security and protection of the people in India. Only time will tell and there is still life left in the Indian cryptocurrency market.