There was a huge hit on March 28 for Bitcoin proponents as a nation with nearly 20% of the world's population has officially declared the crypto-currency to be an outlaw form of money, and that users of Bitcoin could be considered to be money launderers.
In a statement made by the Indian government in collaboration with comments made recently by their central bank, use of any virtual currency other than the Rupee is to be considered unathorized and users to be assumed as money launderers upon investigation.
The government today said use of virtual currencies like Bitcoins is not authorised by RBI and could result in breach of anti-money laundering provisions.
The RBI has already cautioned users, holders and traders of virtual currency, including Bitcoin, about the potential financial, legal and security risks arising from the usage.
"The absence of counter parties in usage of virtual currencies including Bitcoins, for illicit and illegal activities in anonymous/pseudonymous systems could subject the users to unintentional breaches of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism laws," Minister of State for Finance, Arjun Ram Meghwal, said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
He further said that the creation of virtual currencies like Bitcoins as a medium of payments is not authorised by any central bank or monetary authority. - Economic Times of India
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