Key Takeaways — How to Buy Crypto in India
✔Buying crypto in India is 100% legal — regulated exchanges like Unocoin are registered with FIU-IND.
✔The entire process — sign up, KYC, deposit, buy — takes less than 30 minutes.
✔You can buy crypto in India with as little as ₹100 via UPI, NEFT, or IMPS.
✔Crypto profits are taxed at a flat 30% in India — keep all transaction records.
✔Unocoin supports 150+ cryptocurrencies and is India’s oldest crypto exchange (est. 2013).
✔Crypto SIP on Unocoin lets you automate investments — as low as ₹100 per week.
Buying crypto in India is a straightforward, fully legal process that can be completed in under 30 minutes. To buy crypto in India, you need to: create an account on a regulated exchange like Unocoin, complete your KYC verification, deposit INR via UPI or NEFT, select the cryptocurrency you want, enter the amount, and confirm your purchase.
Over the last few years, millions of Indians have started to buy crypto in India — attracted by its potential as a high-growth asset class and the ease of getting started with as little as ₹100. Whether you are looking to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, or one of the 150+ altcoins available, this guide walks you through every step of the process — clearly, safely, and without any jargon.
Furthermore, we cover everything else you need to know: which INR deposit method is fastest, how crypto is taxed in India, which coins are best for beginners, and how to keep your investment safe. Let us get started.
Is It Legal to Buy Crypto in India?
Yes, it is completely legal to buy crypto in India as of 2026. The Indian government has established a clear regulatory framework through the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Intelligence Unit — India (FIU-IND).
Rather than banning cryptocurrency, the Indian government has chosen to regulate it. Under this framework, all crypto exchanges operating in India are required to register with FIU-IND, comply with KYC and AML norms, and report suspicious transactions. As a result, buying crypto in India through a registered exchange is both legal and secure.
Unocoin is a registered, FIU-IND compliant exchange — and has been operating legally in India since 2013. Consequently, every trade made on Unocoin is conducted within the full bounds of Indian law.
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What Do You Need Before You Buy Crypto in India?
Before you proceed to the step-by-step buying guide, make sure you have everything ready. Fortunately, the requirements are minimal — and most Indians already have all of them:
•A smartphone or computer — Unocoin works on iOS, Android, and web browser
•A valid email address — for account registration and transaction alerts
•Your PAN card — mandatory for KYC under Indian tax regulations
•Your Aadhaar card — required for identity verification and KYC compliance
•A bank account — linked for INR deposits via UPI, NEFT, or IMPS
•₹100 minimum — that is all you need to make your first crypto purchase on Unocoin
You are ready if: You have a PAN card, Aadhaar, a bank account, and an email address. That is genuinely all that is needed to buy crypto in India on Unocoin.
How to Buy Crypto in India — 7 Simple Steps on Unocoin
Follow these seven steps to buy crypto in India on Unocoin. Each step is straightforward and should take only a few minutes. In total, the process typically takes under ~25 minutes from start to your first crypto holding.
Total Time: Under ~25 minutes from sign-up to your first crypto purchase — assuming your KYC documents are ready.
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Tip:
Use a strong password. Do not reuse a password from another site.
Download the Unocoin mobile app for a smoother experience — available on both iOS and Android
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Tip: Make sure your Aadhaar is linked to your mobile number — OTP verification will be sent during KYC. Verification usually takes 2–4 hours.
INR Deposit Methods on Unocoin — Comparison Table:
| Deposit Method | Speed | Limit | Fee | Recommended? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEFT (Net Banking) | 30 min – 4 hrs | ₹1000 – 1.5 CR | Free | ✅ Good | Bank working hours |
| IMPS (Net Banking) | Instant | ₹1000 – ₹5,00,000 | Free | ✅ Good | 24/7 incl. holidays |
| RTGS | 30 min – 2 hrs | ₹1000 – 1.5 CR | Free | ⚠️ High value only | Bank working hours |
Note: UPI is coming soon as a deposit method in Unocoin for most Indians buying crypto — instant, free, works 24/7, supported by PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, and BHIM.
Which Crypto Should You Buy in India? — Beginner’s Comparison
Choosing the right cryptocurrency can feel overwhelming at first. However, for most Indian beginners, it helps to compare the most popular options side by side:
| Crypto | Price (INR approx.) | Use Case | Volatility | Best For | Beginner Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | ₹67,00,000+ | Store of value, digital gold | High | Long-term hold, SIP ideal | ★★★★★ |
| Ethereum (ETH) | ₹2,50,000+ | Smart contracts, DeFi | High | Tech exposure, long-term | ★★★★★ |
| XRP (Ripple) | ₹45 – ₹55 | Cross-border payments | Medium | Payments & remittance | ★★★★ |
| Solana (SOL) | ₹12,000+ | Fast transactions, NFTs | High | High risk, high reward | ★★★★ |
| USDT (Tether) | ₹83 – ₹85 | Stable, INR-pegged | Very Low | Safe holding, avoid losses | ★★★ |
| Litecoin (LTC) | ₹6,500+ | Faster Bitcoin alternative | Medium | Beginners, low entry | ★★★ |
Beginner Advice: Start with Bitcoin or Ethereum. Both have long track records, deep liquidity, and are the most widely accepted cryptocurrencies in India. Once comfortable, you can explore altcoins.
Tip: You do not need to buy a whole Bitcoin — ₹500 currently buys approximately 0.00008 BTC on Unocoin which offers premium rates for the purchases.
A Bitcoin SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) allows you to buy crypto in India automatically — at a fixed amount, on a fixed schedule, without manual intervention. Unocoin was the first exchange in India to introduce a crypto SIP, and it remains one of its most popular features.
Here is how it works: you set a fixed INR amount (e.g., ₹500 per week) and a schedule (Daily, weekly or monthly). On each scheduled date, Unocoin automatically deducts the amount from your wallet and purchases the equivalent Bitcoin at the current market price. Consequently, you benefit from rupee-cost averaging — buying more crypto when prices are low and less when prices are high.
Why Is Crypto SIP Recommended for Indian Beginners?
•Removes emotional decision-making: You invest consistently regardless of whether the market is up or down
•Beats market timing: Historically, consistent DCA has outperformed lump-sum investing in volatile assets like Bitcoin
•Starts at ₹100/Day: Accessible to virtually every Indian investor — no large upfront capital needed
•Fully automated: Set it once and let it run — no daily monitoring required
•Tax-efficient record keeping: Unocoin generates trade-by-trade records useful for annual crypto tax filing
Set Up SIP: Navigate to Unocoin → SBP → Create New Plan → Select Bitcoin → Set Amount (min ₹100) → Choose Frequency (Daily / Weekly / Monthly) → Confirm. Your first automatic crypto purchase will be processed on the next scheduled date.
What Are the Fees for Buying Crypto in India on Unocoin?
Understanding fees is an important part of buying crypto in India. Unocoin uses a simple, transparent flat-fee model — no hidden charges, no spread manipulation. Here is a full breakdown:
How is Crypto Taxed in India? — What Every Buyer Must Know
All crypto profits in India — including profits from buying and selling Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency — are taxed at a flat 30% rate, regardless of your income tax slab. This rule has been in effect since FY 2022-23 and applies to every Indian crypto investor.
In addition, a 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is applied on crypto transactions. This TDS is automatically deducted by the exchange — including Unocoin — at the time of each qualifying transaction.
Key Tax Rules When You Buy Crypto in India
•30% flat tax on profits: All crypto gains taxed at 30%
•No loss offsetting: Losses from one crypto cannot be set off against gains from another, or against any other income
•No deductions allowed: Only the cost of acquisition (purchase price) can be deducted — not brokerage or internet costs
•1% TDS automatically deducted: Can be claimed back as a credit when filing your ITR
•Maintain all transaction records: Unocoin provides a downloadable transaction history for tax purposes
•Consult a Crypto CA: A qualified Chartered Accountant with crypto experience is strongly recommended
How to Keep Your Crypto Safe After Buying in India
Buying crypto in India is only half the journey — keeping it safe is equally important. Although Unocoin employs bank-grade security including cold storage and multi-sig wallets, here are the additional steps every Indian crypto investor should take:
1Enable 2FA immediately: Use Google Authenticator or Authy — never rely on SMS-based OTP alone
2Use a unique, strong password: Never reuse passwords. Use a password managers
3Turn on all transaction notifications: If a trade you did not initiate appears, contact Unocoin support immediately
4Beware of phishing : Always access Unocoin through the official app or www.unocoin.com
5Consider a hardware wallet for large holdings : If your portfolio exceeds ₹5 lakh, a Ledger or Paper wallet adds max security
6Never share your private keys or seed phrase: No legitimate exchange or support team will ever ask for this information
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Frequently Asked Questions — How to Buy Crypto in India
Below are the most frequently asked questions about buying crypto in India — answered clearly and concisely. These questions are also commonly asked to AI engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.
The Bottom Line — How to Buy Crypto in India
Buying crypto in India has never been more accessible. Thanks to regulated platforms like Unocoin, the entire process — from account creation to your first crypto purchase — takes less than 30 minutes and can be completed from your phone, with as little as ₹100.
That said, it is important to approach crypto investing with the right mindset: start small, understand the tax implications, enable all security features, and never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Ultimately, the most successful Indian crypto investors are those who approach it with patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective — not as a get-rich-quick scheme.
Whether you choose to buy Bitcoin as a store of value, Ethereum for technology exposure, or set up a monthly SIP to build wealth steadily — Unocoin gives you the tools to do it safely, affordably, and in full compliance with Indian regulations.
Related Guides — Learn More About Crypto in India
Official Unocoin Links: Unocoin Official Links
Disclaimer
Crypto products are unregulated and may be highly volatile. Please understand the associated risks before investing. Users are strongly encouraged to DYOR (Do Your Own Research) before making any financial decisions.