A Study on the Impact of Indian Taxation on Virtual Digital Assets in India

The study explores the implications of India's taxation policies on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs), including crypto currencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). With the introduction of the Finance Act of 2022, which imposed a 30% tax on VDA profits and a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on transactions, the digital asset landscape in India has undergone significant shifts. This research examines the economic and behavioural impact of these regulations on individual investors, start-ups, and the broader VDA ecosystem. The findings suggest that the flat tax rate and TDS have led to reduced market liquidity and deterred small-scale traders, highlighting challenges in compliance and record-keeping. However, these measures also formalize the VDA market, potentially attracting institutional investors by providing regulatory clarity. The study identifies gaps in the current policies and offers recommendations to balance regulation with market growth, ensuring a sustainable future for India's VDA sector.