FIU’S IMPACT ON INDIAN CRYPTO EXCHANGES

Why in the News?

  • Financial Intelligence Unit’s actions against foreign crypto providers expected to boost Indian exchanges.
  • Anticipated shift from global exchanges to FIU-compliant Indian platforms due to regulatory compliance.
Source: Reasearch Gate

About Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND):

  • FIU-IND operates under the Department of Revenue, Government of India.
  • Its primary function is to gather financial intelligence related to offenses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
  • Established in November 2004, FIU-IND directly reports to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC).
  • The EIC is headed by the Finance Minister, indicating its high-level association with economic intelligence matters.

About Crypto Currency

  • Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency utilizing cryptography for security.
  • It operates in a decentralized manner, free from government or institutional control.
  • Transactions are recorded on a public digital ledger known as blockchain.
  • Cryptocurrency acquisition can occur through “mining,” involving solving mathematical equations to validate transactions.
Blockchain Technology

·   Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger recording transactions across a computer network.

·   Each block contains multiple transactions, and every new transaction updates all participants’ ledgers.

·   Decentralization ensures no single entity can alter or delete past transactions, ensuring security and transparency.

·   While foundational for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain has diverse potential applications beyond digital currencies.