February 22, 2026
10 mins
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February 13, 2026
February 13, 2026
India's crypto regulatory environment has been a rollercoaster. From banking restrictions to Supreme Court reversals to a 30% tax on crypto gains, the country's approach keeps evolving. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) continue to shape policy whilst the government debates comprehensive legislation.
This uncertainty makes finding knowledgeable advisors crucial. You need professionals who understand current regulations, anticipate changes, and help you stay compliant despite shifting rules. This guide shows you how to identify advisors who genuinely grasp India's complex crypto situation.
In India, crypto advisors navigate an environment where regulations exist, but comprehensive legislation doesn't. They help clients understand the 30% flat tax on crypto gains introduced in Budget 2022, explain the RBI's evolving stance, and interpret the Finance Ministry's guidance.
Competent advisors don't only know current rules, they track regulatory discussions, understand what's likely to come, and position clients accordingly. They explain when crypto transactions trigger the 1% TDS, how to properly report crypto income, and what documentation tax authorities expect.
They also clarify which crypto activities Indian regulators permit versus prohibit. This distinction matters more in India than in most jurisdictions because the regulatory environment remains unsettled.
Start with tax expertise. India's 30% crypto tax has significant compliance requirements. Chartered Accountants (CA) with crypto specialisation understand both tax rules and documentation needs.
For investment advice, look for SEBI-registered investment advisors. Whilst crypto falls outside SEBI's current mandate, registered advisors bring professional standards and regulatory oversight to their practice.
International qualifications like CFA or CFP add credibility, but Indian regulatory knowledge trumps international credentials. You need someone who understands India's specific tax treatment, knows RBI's position on crypto, and tracks Ministry of Finance announcements. For background on India's crypto taxation, see our guide on crypto tax rates in India.
Major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad host the most developed crypto advisory services. These tech and financial hubs have professionals who've developed crypto specialisation.
Professional associations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) maintain member directories. Look for CAs who list crypto or digital assets among their specialisations.
India's crypto community is active online and at events. Blockchain conferences, crypto meetups, and fintech gatherings in major cities provide networking opportunities to meet advisors.
If an advisor provides investment advice, check their SEBI registration status. SEBI's online database shows registered investment advisors and their credentials.
Whilst crypto investment advice isn't specifically regulated by SEBI yet, registered advisors operate under professional standards and oversight. This provides some protection compared to unregistered individuals.
Chartered Accountant credentials matter enormously for tax-focused advice. Verify CA registration through ICAI databases. For investment guidance, CFA or CFP qualifications demonstrate professional commitment.
Don't just verify credentials exist, check when they qualified and whether they maintain continuing education requirements. Active professionals stay current with regulatory changes.
Credentials alone don't guarantee crypto expertise. Look for advisors who actively work in crypto and write about tax treatment, speak at blockchain events, or advise crypto businesses.
Check their online presence. Do they publish insights on Indian crypto regulations? Do they explain tax implications clearly? Their content reveals whether they actually understand the space. Explore our guide on the top careers in crypto in India to understand the ecosystem.
India hosts conferences like ETHIndia, blockchain summits in major cities, and fintech events featuring crypto discussions. These gatherings attract advisors and provide opportunities to assess their knowledge firsthand.
While advisors with speaking slots at reputable events signal recognised expertise, even the attendees you meet while networking often provide valuable referrals to quality advisors.
India's crypto community is substantial and active. Online forums, Telegram groups, and WhatsApp communities regularly discuss advisors. Ask for recommendations and pay attention to repeated names.
Local crypto meetup groups in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai also share advisor referrals. These word-of-mouth recommendations from people actually using these services carry a lot of weight.
Look for specific testimonials describing concrete examples of how they received help with Indian crypto challenges, and be cautious of purely promotional content. Look for detailed reviews from clients who faced situations similar to yours.
Test their tax knowledge directly. Find out how knowledgeable they are about the 30% flat tax, what qualifies as crypto income, when the 1% TDS applies, and if you can offset crypto losses against gains.
They should reference specific Budget 2022 provisions, Finance Ministry clarifications, and Income Tax Department guidance. If they give vague answers or outdated information, this is a sign that they haven't kept pace with changes. For trading-focused roles, see our guide about crypto trader jobs in India.
Ask about their practical approach to managing crypto portfolios in India's regulatory environment. How do they handle documentation? What records do they recommend maintaining? How do they structure holdings for tax efficiency?
You want specific, practical guidance based on helping multiple clients through Indian tax filings, not theoretical portfolio management principles.
RBI's position on crypto has evolved repeatedly. Ask advisors to explain RBI's current stance, how the 2018 banking ban was overturned, and what restrictions remain.
They should also track government discussions about potential crypto legislation. What bills have been proposed? What seems likely versus unlikely? This forward-looking perspective helps you anticipate changes.
Advisors connected with major Indian exchanges like WazirX, CoinDCX, or ZebPay understand practical operational questions. They know how exchanges handle TDS, what documentation they provide for tax filing, and how regulatory changes affect operations.
These relationships should inform their advice without creating conflicts. Verify they recommend exchanges based on your needs, not their partnerships. Understanding KYC in crypto presales provides useful context.
India's evolving regulatory environment creates unique risks. How do advisors help clients manage regulatory uncertainty? What happens if new restrictions emerge? How do they recommend structuring holdings to maintain flexibility?
Security matters too. What custody approaches do they recommend? How should you protect keys? What backup procedures make sense for Indian investors?
India's crypto regulatory environment keeps changing. Your advisor must actively track developments regarding the Ministry of Finance’s announcements, RBI updates, and parliamentary discussions about crypto bills.
Ask how they stay informed, what sources they monitor, and how quickly they communicate regulatory changes to clients. You need someone watching developments constantly, not catching up after changes happen. For accounting support, check our guide on finding crypto accountants in India.
Before engaging anyone, ask about:
Taxation: Can you explain the 30% crypto tax thoroughly? When does 1% TDS apply? What documentation should I maintain? How do I file crypto income properly?
Regulation: What's RBI's current position on crypto? What restrictions exist? What developments seem likely soon?
Experience: How many Indian crypto clients have you advised? Can you provide references? What tax issues have you helped clients resolve?
Services: What exactly do you provide? Tax filing help? Investment advice? Compliance guidance? What's outside your scope?
Fees: How do you charge? What's included? Are there additional costs for tax filing assistance or Income Tax Department representation?
Conflicts: Do you have financial relationships with exchanges or token projects? How might these affect your advice?
Pay attention to specificity. Good advisors provide detailed answers grounded in Indian regulatory realities. Vague responses suggest limited experience.
India's crypto regulatory environment demands advisors who genuinely understand local complexities. The 30% tax, 1% TDS, and ongoing regulatory discussions create challenges that require India-specific expertise.
Take time verifying qualifications, testing knowledge, and checking references. The difference between competent and mediocre advice matters significantly when regulations keep evolving, and tax treatment is harsh.
India's crypto future remains uncertain. Your advisor needs to track developments actively and help you adapt as policies change. Current knowledge matters, but so does commitment to staying informed.
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This article is for educational purposes only. It is a general guide for founders and users navigating the Web3 space. It does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.If you want to learn more about raising funds or which IDOs to look into, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram at any time.
