Guide: A complete low-down on crypto-currency regulation in India February 9, 2021 The Indian government is contemplating introducing legislation to ban crypto-currency trading, mining and investments in the country. At the same time the proposed legislation will pave the way for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to create a Central Bank-backed Digital Currency (CBDC). While the government’s decision to ban crypto-currency trading in India is still at an incipient stage, the final contours of the bill would depend on industry consultations and stakeholder feedback. Here is a complete guide to crypto-currency regulation in India. Evolution of domestic crypto-industry Prior to the RBI’s April 2018 circular, which barred the banking system from providing services to crypto-firms in India, the crypto-industry was fairly un-regulated and represented a ‘free market’ in many respects. Once the RBI circular came into play, several companies facilitating crypto-trading had to shut down or move abroad. Those that continued to operate moved to a Peer-2-Peer settlement system to facilitate trading, since formal banking and payments companies would not do any business with them.