India Builds “Virtual Asset Lab” to Track Offshore Crypto Platforms
India is advancing its regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency with the development of a Virtual Asset Lab designed to monitor offshore exchanges operating outside its jurisdiction. The system employs advanced data analytics and web surveillance to flag platforms targeting Indian users without proper registration.
Authorities have already blocked 85 non-compliant crypto URLs, signaling a crackdown on exchanges lacking robust KYC and AML protocols. The initiative follows a notable exodus of traders to offshore platforms after India imposed a 30% tax on crypto gains and a 1% transaction levy in 2022.