(Dinarian Note: We need to follow INDIA closely, as it holding the Presidency position of the G20, has the direct influences of both the IMFs and BIS's wishes being implemented and is the worldwide figure of innovation and regulation when it comes to cryptocurrencies...)
For the first time since taking over the G-20 presidency, India has officially revealed details of the ongoing work around how to regulate crypto.
"IMF is working on a paper in consultation with us (India) which will focus on "aspects of the monetary policy and the policy approach to crypto assets," said Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.
Seth also revealed that the IMF had led a meeting with representatives of developing economies around the paper in January. The details confirmed CoinDesk'sĀ earlier reportingĀ around the IMF's role in the G-20s crypto related discussions.
"There's going to be 135 minute seminar on crypto assets on the policy response (during a G-20 meeting later this month) and for that again the IMF is preparing the finalized paper that will form the base," he added.
India assumed the presidency of the G-20 or Group of 20 ā the intergovernmental forum of the worldās 20 largest economies including the European Union as a bloc ā on Dec. 1 giving it the responsibility of shaping the groupās agenda. On the eve of taking over the presidency, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said how to regulate crypto assets will be aĀ priority.
India's position on whether crypto is legal or not has been completely clear since it imposed stiff taxes in 2022 but didn't declare it as legal.
āI donāt wait till regulation comes into place for taxing people who are earning profits,ā the Indian Finance Minister said when asked how a nation can tax something that it doesnāt acknowledge is legal.
"The question of legality will come only if something is declared illegal. Crypto assets are not illegal in this country," Seth explained becoming theĀ second officialĀ to give clarity on the matter.
India's draft bill for crypto regulation has been inĀ cold storageĀ after it felt global consensus is needed first.
"We had prepared a bill (which) went through internal discussions. Thereafter there was a consensus that we have to deal with it at the global level," Seth said.
In terms of next steps for India in shaping global crypto policy the plan is to take the progress of the IMF paper from consensus at the G-20 to the crypto assets working group of the Financial Stability Board and then "all countries put together" because crypto is an asset class that can be traded across the board and thus "it requires all countries" to accept the policy, Seth said.