Coinbase Halts UPI Deposits in India following the NPCI statement
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Coinbase halts payments via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on Sunday in less than 4 days after the its launch. Clients of the crypto exchange in India are unable to purchase cryptocurrencies via UPI as a payment method. ‘Currently unavailable’ error is displayed.
Coinbase response to the NPCI with the following statement:
“We are aware of the recent statement published by NPCI regarding the use of UPI by cryptocurrency exchanges. We are committed to working with NPCI and other relevant authorities to ensure we are aligned with local expectations and industry norms.”
At the time of this writing, India-based users are unable to buy tokens via UPI (selling option is available). It is unclear whether it is related to a significant drop in crypto trading volumes following the 30% tax in India.
It has been reported that cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies
By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the networks which are used to authenticate blockchain technology. Cryptocurrencies can be thought of as systems that accept online payments which are denoted as “tokens.” Tokens are represented as internal ledger entries in blockchain technology while the term crypto is used to depict cryptographic methods and encryption algorithms such as public-private key pairs, various hashing functions, and an elliptical curve. Every cryptocurrency transaction that occurs is logged in a web-based ledger with blockchain technology.These then must be approved by a disparate network of individual nodes (computers that maintain a copy of the ledger). For every new block generated, the block must first be authenticated and confirmed ‘approved’ by each node, which makes forging the transactional history of cryptocurrencies nearly impossible. The World’s First CryptoBitcoin became the first blockchain-based cryptocurrency and to this day is still the most demanded cryptocurrency and the most valued. Bitcoin still contributes the majority of the overall cryptocurrency market volume, though several other cryptos have grown in popularity in recent years.Indeed, out of the wake of Bitcoin, iterations of Bitcoin became prevalent which resulted in a multitude of newly created or cloned cryptocurrencies. Contending cryptocurrencies that emerged after Bitcoin’s success is referred to as ‘altcoins’ and they refer to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Peercoin, Namecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Stellar, and Dash. Cryptocurrencies promise a wide range of technological innovations that have yet to be structured into being. Simplified payments between two parties without the need for a middle man is one aspect while leveraging blockchain technology to minimize transaction and processing fees for banks is another. Of course, cryptocurrencies have their disadvantages too. This includes issues of tax evasion, money laundering, and other illicit online activities where anonymity is a dire ingredient in solicitous and fraudulent activities.
By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the networks which are used to authenticate blockchain technology. Cryptocurrencies can be thought of as systems that accept online payments which are denoted as “tokens.” Tokens are represented as internal ledger entries in blockchain technology while the term crypto is used to depict cryptographic methods and encryption algorithms such as public-private key pairs, various hashing functions, and an elliptical curve. Every cryptocurrency transaction that occurs is logged in a web-based ledger with blockchain technology.These then must be approved by a disparate network of individual nodes (computers that maintain a copy of the ledger). For every new block generated, the block must first be authenticated and confirmed ‘approved’ by each node, which makes forging the transactional history of cryptocurrencies nearly impossible. The World’s First CryptoBitcoin became the first blockchain-based cryptocurrency and to this day is still the most demanded cryptocurrency and the most valued. Bitcoin still contributes the majority of the overall cryptocurrency market volume, though several other cryptos have grown in popularity in recent years.Indeed, out of the wake of Bitcoin, iterations of Bitcoin became prevalent which resulted in a multitude of newly created or cloned cryptocurrencies. Contending cryptocurrencies that emerged after Bitcoin’s success is referred to as ‘altcoins’ and they refer to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Peercoin, Namecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Stellar, and Dash. Cryptocurrencies promise a wide range of technological innovations that have yet to be structured into being. Simplified payments between two parties without the need for a middle man is one aspect while leveraging blockchain technology to minimize transaction and processing fees for banks is another. Of course, cryptocurrencies have their disadvantages too. This includes issues of tax evasion, money laundering, and other illicit online activities where anonymity is a dire ingredient in solicitous and fraudulent activities. Read this Term volumes dropped by as much as 55% following the new crypto tax. Mobikwik wallet, which has partnered with many crypto exchanges announced it is terminating its e-Wallet services from cryptocurrency exchanges.
It is possible that due to the NPCI statement on 7 April, banks may be blocking transactions to Coinbase via UPI. It is still unclear at this stage why depositing via UPI is disabled at Coinbase while some suggesting it is temporary.
India Cryptocurrency Regulations
According to local reports in India, the government may not announce any form of regulations on cryptocurrencies until there is a global consensus.
The assumption is that India is waiting for Europe and the US to announce their framework for regulating cryptocurrencies. India’s central bank (RBI) opposes cryptocurrencies, stating that they are a threat to financial stability.
India’s court however removed the restrictions that were imposed by the RBI in 2020. Since the India crypto market spiked by +641% from July 2020 to June 2021. It has been suggested that local banks side with the RBI’s views on cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase halts payments via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on Sunday in less than 4 days after the its launch. Clients of the crypto exchange in India are unable to purchase cryptocurrencies via UPI as a payment method. ‘Currently unavailable’ error is displayed.
Coinbase response to the NPCI with the following statement:
“We are aware of the recent statement published by NPCI regarding the use of UPI by cryptocurrency exchanges. We are committed to working with NPCI and other relevant authorities to ensure we are aligned with local expectations and industry norms.”
At the time of this writing, India-based users are unable to buy tokens via UPI (selling option is available). It is unclear whether it is related to a significant drop in crypto trading volumes following the 30% tax in India.
It is possible that due to the NPCI statement on 7 April, banks may be blocking transactions to Coinbase via UPI. It is still unclear at this stage why depositing via UPI is disabled at Coinbase while some suggesting it is temporary.
India Cryptocurrency Regulations
According to local reports in India, the government may not announce any form of regulations on cryptocurrencies until there is a global consensus.
The assumption is that India is waiting for Europe and the US to announce their framework for regulating cryptocurrencies. India’s central bank (RBI) opposes cryptocurrencies, stating that they are a threat to financial stability.
India’s court however removed the restrictions that were imposed by the RBI in 2020. Since the India crypto market spiked by +641% from July 2020 to June 2021. It has been suggested that local banks side with the RBI’s views on cryptocurrencies.