The Indian government has hinted how it might move to regulate cryptocurrencies rather than an outright ban.
Talking in the nation’s upper house, the Rajya Sabha, Tuesday, a minister specified that the aim would be to curb illicit cryptocurrency transactions and bar their use in payments.
“The government does not consider cryptocurrencies legal tender or coins and will take all measures to eliminate use of these crypto-assets in financing illegitimate activities or as part of the payment system,” Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur said during a question and answer session.
I also have the feeling that government may not ban btc out right as it doesn't fall under the definition of private currency.
But if they do consider all non government issued crypto as private, then this should be challenged in court.
You are right that Bitcoin is not a private cryptocurrency. The ambiguity is whether the Govt is talking about Public crypto as sort of "Publicly owned"/ Govt owned while calling everything else Private. Colloquially, in India, thats the usage. I don't think our colonial hungover overlords would like anything other than pure Govt power to be called Public Service. The IAS cadre officers love to call themselves "Public servants". So, take a hint.
The more i look at it this way, the more i am sure that the community will have to fight tooth and nail in the courts.
I know they are also following the developments closely and will do their best as they have business at stakes but given past record of this government, they should be more pro active.
I read this news today
Indian Exchanges Launch Campaign Seeking to Avert Potential Crypto Ban
The exchanges have set up websites helping supporters email members of parliament.
If any of you have eny info about email of MPs, please send it to them.
Website is http://indiawantscrypto.net/
Thank you @KryptoKings for sharing this link. I have done my part and I urge other members who are active here to do the same. As a community, we have overcome many hurdles in the past and hopefully, we will be able to overcome this one too.
They will present bill in next session.