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Cryptocurrency dilemma: India must balance between adoption and oversight | Policy Circle

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Cryptocurrency dilemma: India must balance between adoption and oversight | Policy Circle
India’s regulatory regime for cryptocurrency remains uncertain, leaving investors and businesses in a state of limbo.

Despite its global popularity, cryptocurrency has struggled to gain solid footing in India, with the central bank remaining sceptical even years after its inception. Many support the RBI’s cautious stance, arguing that cryptocurrency offers little value while posing significant risks. As virtual currencies operate without the need for regulation, their very nature presents substantial threats. As a result, the future of cryptocurrency in India remains uncertain.

However, the Indian government has shown some openness to dialogue. A panel led by the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) recently issued a consultation paper seeking feedback from stakeholders on how to regulate crypto assets. This indicates that the government is taking an active interest in shaping the future of digital currencies in the country.

READ | A nation in the dark: Census delay risks India’s future

Cryptocurrency Regulation

India’s G20 presidency marked a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency regulation. One of the most significant outcomes was a comprehensive discussion on a regulatory approach to crypto assets. G20 members, along with the IMF and FSB, jointly agreed on a Synthesis paper, setting the stage for a unified regulatory framework. The discussions outlined key elements of effective regulation while also identifying responsible entities for implementation.

Nevertheless, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently noted that, despite global agreement on the need for regulation, each country will need to adopt its own legislative framework. This will require coordination within countries and across borders, demanding efforts at both the macro and micro levels. In September 2023, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth stated that the government would carefully consider the recommendations based on the consensus built and then decide on policies moving forward. Given the heightened risks associated with cryptocurrencies, especially for emerging economies, India must tailor its regulations to ensure stability.

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As part of its regulatory efforts, India banned nine offshore crypto platforms, or Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) service providers, for violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. Even Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, faced scrutiny. However, in December 2023, Binance re-entered the Indian market after registering with the Financial Intelligence Unit.

India’s stance on cryptocurrency has been evolving. After introducing a ban in 2018 that prohibited Indian banks from facilitating cryptocurrency transactions, the Supreme Court overturned the decision in 2020. In the Union Budget 2022-23, a 30% tax on income from the transfer of digital assets was proposed, along with a 1% tax deduction at source (TDS) on such transactions to discourage crypto trading.

Globally, countries have adopted diverse approaches to cryptocurrency regulation. Some have imposed strict regulations, while others have opted for outright bans. India’s approach has been a mix of both.

Although India has historically taken a cautious stance toward virtual assets, it has been recognised that an outright ban is not an “easy option,” as the IMF-FSB paper pointed out. A ban could drive investors to more crypto-friendly regions, increasing financial integrity risks and potentially leading to India losing oversight of digital assets.

A more viable path forward is to regulate and supervise licensed or registered cryptocurrency issuers and service providers. This approach could help close information gaps and facilitate oversight of cross-border activities. The Cryptocurrency Bill of 2021, introduced in the Lok Sabha, was a significant step toward regulating India’s growing cryptocurrency market. The bill proposed guidelines for the Reserve Bank of India to create an official digital currency while seeking to ban all other private cryptocurrencies.

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Despite the government’s efforts to limit digital assets, Chainalysis’ 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index ranked India first among 154 nations for grassroots crypto adoption. This suggests that ordinary people in India are actively using cryptocurrencies in their daily lives, regardless of government concerns. Investors now await meaningful regulations that will address the growing interest in the sector while also protecting them from potential risks.

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LAB Token Crashes 80% to $1.25 as $5B Market Cap Vanishes in 48 Hours

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LAB Token Crashes 80% to .25 as B Market Cap Vanishes in 48 Hours

Key Takeaways

LAB Trade Blames ‘Large Market Participants’

LAB, the native token of the multi-chain trading platform LAB Trade, suffered a catastrophic collapse this week, plunging from just over $7 to $1.25 on Wednesday—a staggering 80% decline in under 24 hours. This crash followed an equally brutal sell-off on Tuesday, which saw the token slide from nearly $17. In total, LAB wiped out nearly 90% of its value in just 48 hours.

LAB crash chart: CoinGecko

The financial fallout was swift: a market capitalization that exceeded $5 billion on Tuesday morning evaporated to just $390 million by 3:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday. The freefall prompted the LAB Trade team to address the panic on X, where they expressed disappointment and deflected blame toward external heavy-sellers:

“While today’s market activity is disappointing, our product roadmap and long-term focus remain unchanged. We’re seeing significant selling pressure from large market participants. Several independent trading firms also hold substantial LAB positions that are not affiliated with our team. We’re working closely with our liquidity partners and continue to monitor market conditions,” the team said on X.

With this crash, LAB joins a notorious lineup of volatile tokens, such as RAVE, RIVER and SIREN. Each of these projects experienced meteoric rises followed by near-instantaneous erasures, sparking widespread “pump-and-dump” allegations against their respective teams and murky distribution networks.

Crypto Sleuth Slams Centralized Exchanges

Prominent on-chain detective ZachXBT, who previously flagged suspicious insider loans and market-maker coordination back in May, blasted major centralized exchanges ( CEXs) for failing to protect retail investors. Taking to X, ZachXBT criticized the lack of proactive intervention:

“Disappointing to see how no action was taken by Binance, Bitget, and Gate earlier to prevent it. If CEXs cared, profits from the accounts manipulating the price would be distributed to users at a minimum. Unlocks for investors were scheduled to begin later this month, however, multiple late vesting changes occurred in the past.”

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ZachXBT reiterated his previous warnings that insiders have effectively controlled the entire circulating supply, allowing market makers to orchestrate extreme price manipulation on major exchanges. His final advice to the community was blunt: avoid trading LAB under any circumstances.

ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud

ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has renewed his assault on Bitget, accusing the exchange of knowingly enabling market makers to run supply…

ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud
Bitcoin.com News

ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has renewed his assault on Bitget, accusing the exchange of knowingly enabling market makers to run supply…

ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud
Bitcoin.com News

ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has renewed his assault on Bitget, accusing the exchange of knowingly enabling market makers to run supply…

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Residents question proposed crypto mining center

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Residents question proposed crypto mining center

STARKVILLE – Potentially higher utility bills and sound pollution topped the list of concerns raised by six residents who addressed the board of aldermen Tuesday about a cryptocurrency mining facility proposed for Industrial Park Road.

Vice Mayor Roy Perkins, who represents Ward 6, said he has fielded similar concerns from constituents following the board’s June 12 work session, during which members heard a presentation about the potential project.

“I know these things need to have full accountability, full transparency and different things,” Perkins said. “… Well you can rest assured the vice mayor is going to be on assignment. I’m going to do my part. I’m not going to do anything that’s going to negatively impact this community.”

The proposed facility would be a specialized type of data center designed to mine cryptocurrency, a digital currency that operates independently of government-backed financial systems. It is stored in digital wallets and fluctuates in value.

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Mining facilities use specialized computers that draw large energy loads to secure the digital transactions that take place. The center proposed in Starkville would be much smaller than “hyperscale data centers” that store and process data for large tech companies.

Utility usage topped the concerns of most residents with Pam Jones, the first to speak, set the tone.

“I understand that this is on a smaller scale than the hyper-scale facilities, and I just wanted to be sure that we had ordinances in place that will count the noise, especially at night and that there will be water and power management,” Jones said.

Other residents took issue with what they see as a lack of transparency around the proposed project.

“I was quite disappointed to learn (the mining facility) was not an agenda item today,” said Eadie Keenan, a Ward 7 resident. “… Quite frankly, I have more questions than can fit in three minutes.”

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Tiffany Womack, another Starkville resident, echoed Kennan’s concerns, adding utility usage and market volatility to her own list of issues.

“If (the center was) to go bankrupt or something like that, would that possibly fall back on the responsibility of Starkville citizens?” Womack asked.

Mayor Lynn Spruill did not answer each question individually, instead encouraging those with questions to watch the June 12 presentation. Due to the project’s early stage, she noted the board does not yet know answers to all the questions raised during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I brought (the center) to the board as an opportunity for us to begin that process of learning so we are nowhere near making a decision,” Spruill said. “Which is why it isn’t on the agenda and won’t be on the agenda for some time.”

Spruill said the proposed center is currently going through the staff vetting process. Once the process is complete, staff will make a recommendation to the board on whether to pursue the center. At that time, Spruill expects to be able to answer residents’ remaining questions.

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Spruill said transparency is important to her and the board while going through the process of vetting the mining center.

“Nothing is being hidden. It’s all out there for everybody to see, and we’ll make decisions based on facts not on Facebook craziness,” Spruill said. “… We want facts, and we want all decisions to be made with facts. And so hopefully that will put some of your concerns (to rest), at least to the extent that this is nowhere near something that will be on the agenda.”

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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.

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Jim Rickards Asked Robert Kiyosaki to Read One Manuscript, Then His View of Global Finance Changed

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Jim Rickards Asked Robert Kiyosaki to Read One Manuscript, Then His View of Global Finance Changed

Key Takeaways

Why Did One Manuscript Change Robert Kiyosaki’s View?

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the best-selling personal finance book Rich Dad Poor Dad, said an advance manuscript of “The Entropy Trap” shared by Jim Rickards prompted him to rethink how he views global finance. Rickards is an economist, lawyer, and financial commentator known for writing about currencies, debt, and systemic market risk. Kiyosaki said the early reading changed his perspective on where the financial system may be headed.

The reaction was framed around a warning about financial change. The book, written by Mickey M. Maini, “blew my mind and opened my eyes to what & why global financial change is coming,” Kiyosaki described. His comments focused on what he described as a shift in the rules behind wealth, assets, and trust.

The central claim is that wealth could move away from people relying on traditional financial assumptions. Kiyosaki asserted:

“The informed will be tomorrow’s ULTRA RICH. Todays uniformed operating by the old rules of money… will become the new poor.”

The Warning Behind the Claim

The warning centers on assets that depend on trust, including U.S. bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and mutual funds. Kiyosaki framed those instruments as vulnerable under the financial shift he says is coming, placing commonly held investment products at the center of the risk.

That claim is severe, but he presented it as a warning rather than a proven outcome. He also pointed to large bondholders, including Japan, saying they have already started dumping U.S. bonds. He did not provide supporting data in the statement.

The acclaimed author shared:

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“Message from book… ‘All assets that require trust, assets that most people have… such as U.S. bonds, ETFs, mutual funds will be flushed down toilets, all over the world.’”

The broader conflict is whether traditional financial assets remain reliable under the conditions Kiyosaki described. His framing divides investors between those preparing for a changed financial system and those still operating under assumptions he says may no longer hold.

What Still Needs to Be Proven

A planned August study session could clarify the warning Kiyosaki described. He said his study team would examine the message and that Rickards may join, though the evidence behind the claims has not yet been laid out.

For now, the warning rests on Kiyosaki’s account of a manuscript that changed his view. He urged readers to prepare, writing:

“I want you to be one of the world’s new rich.”

What remains unknown is whether market data, policy moves, or investor behavior will confirm the risk he described.

His recent commentary has focused on what he describes as fragility in the global monetary system, particularly around the U.S. dollar. He has pointed to rising debt, central bank policies, and inflation as risks that could trigger a sharp market downturn.

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Alongside those concerns, he has repeatedly highlighted bitcoin, gold, and silver as alternative stores of value. In his view, those assets may help reduce exposure to traditional financial instruments during periods of currency weakness and market turbulence.

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