India Faces Pressure to Rethink Crypto Taxes Ahead of Union Budget as Trading Shifts Offshore

Core Insights - Indian policymakers are under pressure to revise the punitive crypto tax framework as capital flight to offshore platforms raises concerns about lost tax revenue and weakened regulatory oversight [1] - The upcoming Union Budget is being closely watched by the crypto industry for potential relief from a tax regime that has significantly reduced domestic trading volumes [2] - The current tax framework imposes challenges for retail participants by taxing transactions without recognizing losses, leading to a frictional environment for the crypto ecosystem [3] Tax Framework and Impact - The Indian government introduced a 30% tax on crypto income in February 2022, with no deductions or exemptions allowed [4] - The Finance Minister specified that losses from price drops or hacking incidents cannot be offset against profits, further complicating the tax landscape for investors [5] - A 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) has adversely affected high-frequency traders and liquidity providers, making their business models unsustainable on domestic platforms [6] Industry Requests and Regulatory Environment - Key requests for the 2026 Budget include tax rationalization through reduced TDS, allowing loss set-offs, establishing a regulatory mechanism for the sector, and promoting blockchain adoption [4] - Despite being a leader in grassroots crypto adoption, India's tax-heavy approach has created a regulatory limbo, contrasting with more structured frameworks in other Asian countries [2]