India Tightens Crypto KYC Rules with Live Biometrics and Geolocation
India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has implemented stringent new KYC requirements for cryptocurrency traders, mandating live selfie verification and real-time location tracking. The measures target 49 registered exchanges including WazirX and CoinDCX, affecting both retail and institutional participants.
The 'liveness test' requires users to blink or MOVE during camera verification to prevent deepfake spoofing. Geolocation checks will enforce physical presence within India for transactions. These changes aim to curb money laundering and synthetic identity fraud while maintaining market access for legitimate traders.
Notable exchanges like Binance and Coinbase must now integrate these protocols for Indian users. The regulations coincide with global trends toward stricter crypto oversight, though India's biometric approach exceeds most jurisdictions' requirements.