AAP MP Raghav Chadha advocates legalization of virtual digital assets in Rajya Sabha

February 10, 2026

Raghav Chadha highlighted a policy contradiction in India over Virtual Digital assets in the Rajya Sabha. Advocating VDS such as Crypto, Stablecoin, he said these assets without legal recognition, drive 73% of trading volume offshore and prompt 180 startups to relocate abroad.

In a post on X, Raghav said,  “India taxes VDAs (virtual digital asset) like they are legal. But regulate it like they are illegal. India taxes cryptocurrency at 30% Capital Gain Tax + 1% TDS; yet offers no legal recognition, no investor protection, no dedicated AML (anti-money laundering) framework.”

Legalise Virtual Digital Assets (like Crypto, Stablecoin) in India. Don’t drive them offshore.

India taxes VDAs (virtual digital asset) like they are legal. But regulate it like they are illegal.
India taxes cryptocurrency at 30% Capital Gain Tax + 1% TDS; yet offers no legal… pic.twitter.com/Y1JXJLBW85

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) February 10, 2026

He added, “The result is: 12 crore Indians invest via overseas platforms, ₹4.8 lakh crore in VDA trading moved offshore, 73% of India’s trading volume shifted to foreign exchanges and 180 Indian crypto startups relocated abroad.”

In conclusion, he said VDAs should be given clear asset class status in India.

“A clear domestic regulatory sandbox, with strong AML guardrails, can bring activity back onshore, protect investors, improve compliance and add ₹15,000–20,000 crore in annual tax revenue”, he added further