The blockchain and crypto assets council (BACC) of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in a media statement said that a blanket ban on cryptocurrencies will encourage non-state players thereby leading to more unlawful usage of such currencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently had said that it is important that all democratic nations work together on this and ensure it does not end up in the wrong hands, which can spoil our youth.
IAMAI in a statement added that it fully concurs with this view and in its submission before the Supreme Court earlier listed several negative outcomes of a ban such as zero accountability and traceability of the origin and usage of the cryptocurrencies besides a complete evasion of taxes. Further, a ban will also adversely impact retail investors.
The council said it has always argue in favour of prohibiting the usage of private cryptocurrencies as a currency in India by law since usage as currency is likely to interfere with monetary policy and fiscal controls. The council has advocated their use only as an asset, it adds, council believes that a smartly regulated crypto assets business will protect investors, help monitor Indian buyers and sellers, lead to better taxation of the industry, and limit illegal usage of crypto.
Crypto exchanges based in India offer an effective instrument of monitoring and are dedicated to creating an ecosystem that guarantees investor protection besides bringing both the investors and exchanges under proper tax laws, it said.
The Council believes that the efforts of the exchanges should be supported by a law that should enable them to provide safer services to investors and fair taxes to the government.
