Crypto India: 80% of Crypto Trading in India Is Now Futures. Is the 1% TDS to Blame?

More than 80% of crypto trading on Indian exchanges now happens in futures and derivatives instead of spot markets. While many traders have shifted to avoid the 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on spot trades, the move comes with higher risks. Industry estimates suggest that 70% to 80% of retail crypto futures traders are losing money.

Crypto Futures Now Dominate India’s Market

According to money control report, more than 80% of crypto trading on Indian exchanges now comes from futures and derivatives instead of regular spot trading. Reports show that spot trading volume dropped by as much as 85%.

The shift began after the 2022 Union Budget, which introduced a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on every crypto spot transaction. Likewise, buying and selling actual Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. is subject to a 1% TDS on every transaction.

Thus, the active traders say the tax locks up their trading capital, making frequent buying and selling difficult.

As a result, many have moved to crypto futures, trading contracts based on a cryptocurrency’s price, which currently does not have this 1% TDS.

Also Read : India’s FIU Orders Exchanges to Report OTC Crypto Deals Above $10,000

70-80% Of Traders Are Losing Money in Leverage Trading

While crypto futures trading has become more popular, it has also become much riskier for traders. Industry estimates show that 70% to 80% of Indian retail traders in crypto derivatives are currently losing money. Retail investors also make up about 70% of all crypto futures trading in the country.

This is simply because some crypto exchanges offer leverage of 25x, 50x, and even 100x, meaning even a small price move can wipe out an investor’s entire trade. 

Experts also estimate that Indian retail traders lost more than $12 billion trading equity derivatives in a single year, highlighting the risks of highly leveraged trading.

Also Read : India’s RBI Wants Banks To Stay Away From Crypto, Even Ready To Ban It!

Indian Crypto Trading Is Moving To Offshore Exchanges

Unlike stock market derivatives, the Indian crypto market is operating in a highly institutionalised, tax and comply phase. 

While digital assets are completely legal to buy, sell, and hold, they are strictly classified as Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) rather than legal tender. As there is no direct regulation from SEBI or the RBI. 

At the same time, an estimated 75% of Indian crypto trading takes place on offshore exchanges such as Binance and Bybit, where many traders seek to avoid domestic tax rules.