How to Buy Bitcoin in India

On December 28, 2023, India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) sent a show cause notice to nine cryptocurrency exchanges for not complying with India’s AML (anti-money laundering) regulations. The exchanges included were Binance, KuCoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bitstamp, MEXC, and Bitfinex. Access to the websites of these nine exchanges has been blocked in India until they register with the FIU. If that’s the case, how to buy Bitcoin in India? In this guide, we will review the status of Bitcoin (BTC) in India, its popularity, and the different exchanges you can use to purchase Bitcoin in India.

Buying Bitcoin in India: Summary

While Bitcoin is not yet accepted as a legal currency in India, it is possible to own and trade it on crypto exchanges. To buy Bitcoin in India, follow these steps:

1. Get a Bitcoin wallet
2. Go to a selected exchange, such as Binance
3. Choose the amount of BTC you wish to buy
4. Enter your payment information and Bitcoin address

If you want to explore other crypto platforms available in India, read on.

Is Bitcoin Legal in India?

Does India use Bitcoin? Cryptocurrency is not prohibited in India, and the government is gradually creating laws and regulations for digital assets.

In India, it is legal to buy, hold, and exchange Bitcoin. However, it is crucial to understand the subtleties. The Indian government doesn’t forbid owning or trading cryptocurrency assets, even if digital currencies such as Bitcoin are not accepted as legal tender, meaning they cannot be used to directly pay for goods or services.

India implemented a tax system in 2022 that essentially recognized the reality of digital assets. Nevertheless, there is currently no all-encompassing regulatory structure that oversees cryptocurrency. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continues to exercise caution and has issued numerous warnings on threats to financial stability. In the meantime, the Supreme Court has compared unregulated crypto activity to unofficial money networks and ordered the government to explain its stance.

As of June 2025, a national policy paper that would outline the initial steps toward official crypto legislation is anticipated to be published shortly. In the interim, registered platforms that adhere to AML regulations allow Indian users to legally buy and sell Bitcoin.

How Is Bitcoin Taxed in India?

According to India’s Income Tax Act, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are considered Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs). The tax system as of June 2025 is as follows:

• Flat 30% Tax on Profits: Profits from selling or trading Bitcoin are subject to a fixed 30% tax rate, with no deductions for expenses (apart from acquisition costs). This holds true for both short-term and long-term gains.
• 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source): The exchange automatically deducts 1% TDS from any crypto transaction that exceeds ₹10,000 within a fiscal year. Even if the transaction ends in a loss, this still holds true.
• No Set-Off or Carry Forward: Please note that losses cannot be carried over to subsequent years or deducted from any other income.

How Popular is Bitcoin in India?

The Google Trends graph below displays interest in Bitcoin in India. The linked graph is live data, updated directly from Google. Using the search term ‘bitcoin,’ the graph represents the search interest of users through Google. A mark of 100 indicates peak popularity, while a score of 50 means half as popular.

Main Indian Bitcoin Communities

There are a number of Indian Bitcoin communities online. These are particularly useful for staying up to date with the latest news, as well as for getting advice on the best Indian Bitcoin exchanges and the like. In particular, it’s worth checking out the following forums, pages, and Meetup groups:

• Bitcoin India subreddit
• CryptoIndia subreddit
• India’s BitcoinTalk thread
• Blockchained India Meetup
• Everything Blockchain – Delhi Meetup
• Crypto & Blockchain Meetup

India-Based Bitcoin Exchanges

There are a number of Indian Bitcoin exchanges, with the more popular ones being registered with the FIU and requiring ID verification.

Giottus

Giottus is an Indian exchange founded by two alumni of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C).

The exchange facilitates INR deposits and withdrawals to buy Bitcoin, as well as more than 70 other different cryptocurrencies.

Giottus charges no deposit or withdrawal fees for INR and features a trading fee structure ranging from 0.03% to 0.40%, depending on a user’s previous 30-day volume. Users have to verify their mobile number for compulsory 2-factor authentication, as well as a form of ID.

Giottus’ user interface isn’t the prettiest compared to some other exchanges, but it’s more than enough to get the job done.

CoinDCX

CoinDCX is an Indian cryptocurrency exchange that was founded in 2018. It has backing from some very notable names in the industry, including Coinbase, BainCapital, and BitMEX.

The exchange enables users to buy more than 200 cryptocurrencies instantly with INR by linking their bank account. It has a popular mobile app available in the Google Play Store and Apple Store.

CoinDCX’s trading fee structure ranges from 0.04% to 0.50%, depending on a user’s previous 30-day volume.

Unocoin

Unocoin was established in 2013 and allows users to buy Bitcoin with an Indian bank account.

Unocoin is a regulated company in India and offers a fee of 0.5% to buy or sell Bitcoin. It’s an easy Bitcoin exchange to use, but it does require ID verification.

International Exchanges Available in India

You’re not just limited to Indian cryptocurrency exchanges when buying and selling Bitcoin in India. Below are a few other options available to you:

Binance

A vast array of products are available on Binance, including trading, futures, buying and selling cryptocurrency with Indian rupees, liquidity farm programs, vaults, loans, and NFTs. With over 500 cryptocurrencies, over 28 million members, and billions of dollars in daily transactions, Binance is the largest crypto exchange globally.

Here’s our full Binance review.

CEX.IO

CEX.IO is available in most countries around the world. Founded in 2013 with its headquarters in London, this cryptocurrency exchange allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin as well as a selection of altcoins.

Both credit cards and bank transfers are accepted payment methods with low fees of 0%–0.25% on trades. CEX.IO offers a trading platform and a brokerage service, both entailing different fees.

You can read my full CEX.IO review for more info.

Changelly

Changelly is an exchange that was founded in 2015. It allows instant crypto-to-crypto swaps, as well as purchases and sales involving fiat via their payment partners. Signing up for an account doesn’t require any personal information, and you’ll then have a quick and easy way of exchanging cryptocurrency from one wallet to another.

Crypto-to-crypto trades have a low 0.25% fee. However, buying or selling with fiat may come with some hefty additional charges depending on which third-party processor handles the transaction.

You can read our full Changelly review for more.

Coinmama

Coinmama may be based in Israel, but it’s available in a huge number of countries, including India. It was launched in 2013, and it offers convenience: you can buy Bitcoin with a debit or credit card.

The downside is that the fees are on the high side at 4.5% for USD, EUR, GBP, and JPY and up to 6.5% for other currencies.

You can read our full review of Coinmama here.

Paxful

Paxful is a P2P (peer-to-peer) marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to meet online and trade Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with each other.

Sellers on Paxful accept over 300 payment methods, including major Indian payment methods like PayTM, Bhim, and PhonePe. If you’re buying Bitcoin on Paxful, you won’t have to pay any fee to the site itself, but the price of Bitcoin is traded at a premium because of this.

You can read our full Paxful review to learn more.

Crypto Wallets

Best Wallet – The Best Non-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet in the Market

Which Bitcoin wallet is available in India? An alternative option to buying on exchanges is Best Wallet, which I regard as the best non-custodial crypto wallet for 2025. Best Wallet is an interesting option because it is essentially a one-stop option for all your Bitcoin and cryptocurrency needs. Not only can you store your Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies in the wallet, but you can also seamlessly buy new crypto right through the wallet.

Additionally, Best Wallet is non-custodial, which means nobody but the user has access to the private keys and backup passphrases. Users take full control of the crypto coins via a mobile app, browser extension, or desktop software.

Not only does Best Wallet allow you to hold and trade Bitcoin, but it is also compatible with many other cryptocurrencies, which means it could be an all in one stop for all of your crypto needs. Best Wallet features very liquid markets for thousands of tokens on over 60 blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Sui, Dogecoin, Uniswap, and many others.

When it comes to trading fees, Best Wallet charges none. The only fees you may encounter are blockchain fees. It’s important to note that Best Wallet is a non-custodial wallet, meaning your crypto will remain safe and in your hands.

How Many Bitcoin ATMs are There in India?

As of 2025, there is only 1 Bitcoin ATM (BTM) in India, according to CoinATMRadar.

Conclusion: Buy BTC in India

As can be seen, Bitcoin’s status in India is trending in a positive direction. This is evidenced by the Indian Ministry of Finance adding digital assets to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2023 and the number of Indian-based crypto exchanges, as well as international exchanges accepting Indian users.

See also: Indian Crypto Industry Pushes for Tax Relief as Govt Stance Softens

FAQs

Is Unocoin legal in India?

Yes, Unocoin is legal to use in India.

What are the most popular Indian-based exchanges by trade volume?

The biggest and most popular Indian crypto exchanges are WazirX and CoinDCX, both based in Mumbai.

Is Bitcoin banned in India?

Bitcoin is not banned in India, and as of 2025, the country is slowly making progress toward regulating the digital asset.

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Having delved into futures trading in the past, my intrigue in financial, economic, and political affairs eventually led me to a striking realization: the current debt-based fiat system is fundamentally flawed. This revelation prompted me to explore alternative avenues, including... Read More

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