All about Crypto in India — Part 1 | In The Money by Zerodha

In this episode, we break down the origins of cryptocurrencies and how India’s crypto ecosystem has evolved over the last decade.

From the early Cypherpunk movement and the birth of Bitcoin to the rise of Indian exchanges, regulatory battles, taxation, and recent security incidents, this episode builds a foundation for understanding what crypto actually is, how it works, and what is legal in India today.

I’m your host, Sandeep Rao (SEBI Registered Research Analyst – INH000013059)

We explore how Bitcoin was designed to function without banks, how mining works, what private keys really mean, how Indians buy crypto through exchanges, and why custody and security matter more than most people realize.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on crypto in India.

🧭 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: The Cypherpunk origin story
01:35 – Early crypto experiments before Bitcoin
04:06 – Satoshi Nakamoto and the birth of Bitcoin
05:55 – How crypto arrived in India
07:48 – Indian exchanges: early players and growth phase
08:45 – RBI warnings, Supreme Court ruling and tax framework
10:51 – What exactly is Bitcoin?
12:58 – Mining, supply limits and Proof of Work
14:31 – Private keys, wallets and ownership explained
16:12 – How Indians buy Bitcoin using exchanges
17:15 – Custody risks and the WazirX incident
20:33 – What’s coming in Part 2

🔗Show Notes & References
Wired (1993) → Crypto Rebels https://www.wired.com/1993/02/crypto-...
RBI Press Release on Virtual Currencies (2013) → https://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressRe...
Times of India – First Bitcoin Traders Raided in Ahmedabad → https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/b...
WazirX Hack Legal Analysis and Impact → https://regstreetlaw.com/blog/230-mil...

If you prefer reading, we've written a post about this episode here: https://inthemoneybyzerodha.substack....

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About Zerodha

At Zerodha, we simplify complex financial topics to empower you with the knowledge to make smarter investment choices. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills, we’re here to help you navigate the financial world with clarity.