Archive · 11 Jan 2026
India Imposes Strict Crypto KYC Rules
India is making it harder for people to use cryptocurrency without showing who they are.
The government wants to stop bad things like money laundering.
Now, when you sign up for a crypto exchange, you have to take a live selfie to prove it's really you.
They also want to know where you are when you sign up, using your phone's location.
Plus, you have to show two types of ID and do a tiny bank transaction to prove your account is real.
The government is also warning against risky things like Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) because they can be used for bad things.
All of this is to make sure people aren't hiding where their money comes from.
India's FIU introduced strict AML and KYC rules for crypto exchanges, including live selfies and geo-tagging.
Users must provide a secondary ID, undergo OTP verification, and complete a 'penny-drop' transaction.
High-risk clients must update KYC every 6 months, while others must do so annually.
ICOs and ITOs are strongly discouraged due to high money laundering and terror financing risks.
Crypto exchanges must register with the FIU and report suspicious transactions.
- Who
- India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
- What
- Imposed stringent AML and KYC protocols for crypto exchanges
- When
- Guidelines issued on January 8, 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To eliminate illegal activity in the digital asset market
- Regulatory Body
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
- New Requirements
- Live selfies, geo-tagging, penny-drop method, secondary ID
- High-Risk Clients
- KYC updates every 6 months
- ICOs/ITOs
- Strongly discouraged due to high risk
- Crypto Status in India
- Not legal tender but taxed
- Reporting Requirements
- Suspicious transactions and client records
- Data Retention
- Client details for at least 5 years
Sources
India tightens crypto noose: Live selfies, geo-tagging now mandatory for users
India tightens crypto noose: Live selfies, geo-tagging now mandatory for users - Telegraph India
Live Selfies, GPS Tracking: India Unveils New KYC Rules For Crypto Users
Explained: Why India is mandating live selfies and location tracking for crypto users