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.
1
Create Your Unocoin Account
⏱ ~3 minutes
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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
2
Complete Your KYC Verification
⏱ ~10 minutes
KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory for all regulated crypto exchanges in India — it is a legal requirement under PMLA. After signing up, you will be prompted to complete your KYC. This involves submitting your PAN card number, your Aadhaar number (linked to your mobile), a selfie for liveness verification, and your bank account details for INR withdrawals. Once submitted, KYC is typically approved within a few hours.
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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.
3
Deposit INR into Your Unocoin Wallet
⏱ ~5 minutes
Once your KYC is approved, navigate to the ‘Funds’ or ‘Deposit’ section on Unocoin and choose your preferred INR deposit method — UPI (instant, free), NEFT, or IMPS. Enter the amount you wish to deposit (minimum ₹100), follow the payment instructions, and your wallet will be credited within minutes via UPI or IMPS.
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.
4
Choose the Cryptocurrency You Want to Buy
⏱ ~2 minutes
With funds in your Unocoin wallet, navigate to the ‘Buy / Sell’ or ‘Markets’ section. You will see a list of all 150+ cryptocurrencies available — each showing the live INR price, 24-hour change, and market cap. Select the cryptocurrency you want to buy. If you are a first-time buyer, Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) are widely recommended starting points.
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.
5
Enter the Amount You Want to Invest
⏱ ~1 minute
After selecting your cryptocurrency, you will arrive at the trade screen. Enter either the INR amount you want to spend or the crypto quantity you want to buy — the platform automatically converts between the two in real time. The minimum investment on Unocoin is ₹100. The platform fee (typically 0.7% flat) is shown transparently before you confirm.
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.
6
Review and Confirm Your Purchase
⏱ ~1 minute
Before your crypto purchase is processed, an order confirmation screen is displayed. It shows: the crypto you are buying, the INR amount, the equivalent crypto quantity. Review these details carefully, then tap ‘Confirm’ Your crypto is credited to your Unocoin wallet instantly.
7
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
⏱ ~3 minutes
This step is critically important and is often overlooked by new buyers. Once your first purchase is complete, immediately enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Unocoin account. Go to Settings → Security → Enable 2FA. Download Google Authenticator or Authy, scan the QR code shown on Unocoin, and enter the 6-digit code to confirm. From that point onwards, every login requires both your password and the 2FA code.
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:
Trading Fee
0.2% Maker & 0.3% Taker fee.
INR Deposit
Free — no deposit charges
INR Withdrawal
Free — standard bank transfer processing time applies (7-14 days)
Crypto Withdrawal
Network (gas) fee applies — varies by blockchain and network congestion
Crypto Deposit
Free — no charges for receiving crypto into your Unocoin wallet
SIP Management Fee
Free — no additional charges
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.
QCan I buy crypto in India legally?
Yes. Buying crypto in India is fully legal as of 2026. All exchanges are required to be registered with FIU-IND under PMLA. Unocoin has been a registered, compliant exchange since 2013.
QWhat is the minimum amount to buy crypto in India?
You can buy crypto in India with as little as ₹100 on Unocoin — making it accessible to virtually every Indian investor regardless of budget.
QWhich is the best crypto to buy in India for beginners?
Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are the most commonly recommended starting points for Indian beginners. Both have long track records, deep liquidity, and are widely accepted on Indian exchanges.
QHow long does KYC take on Unocoin?
KYC verification on Unocoin is usually completed instantly once all required details are submitted correctly. If there is a mismatch in the information provided or additional verification is required, the process may take 3-24hrs. make sure the information matches your official records.
QCan I buy crypto in India with UPI?
Yes. UPI is the most popular and convenient deposit method on some platforms — instant, free, and supported by Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM.
QHow is crypto taxed in India in 2026?
Crypto profits in India are taxed at a flat 30%. A 1% TDS is also deducted on transactions. Losses cannot be offset against other income.
QIs Unocoin safe to buy crypto in India?
Yes. Unocoin is India’s oldest crypto exchange, established in 2013, registered with FIU-IND. It uses cold storage for the majority of funds, multi-sig wallets, and 2FA-protected accounts.
QCan I sell crypto and withdraw INR to my bank in India?
Yes. On Unocoin, you can sell your crypto at any time and withdraw the INR proceeds directly to your linked Indian bank account via NEFT or IMPS — typically processed within the same business day.
QWhat is a crypto SIP and how does it work in India?
A crypto SIP lets you invest a fixed INR amount into cryptocurrency automatically on a weekly or monthly schedule. Unocoin offers crypto SIP starting from ₹100 — India’s first and most accessible SIP product for crypto.
QWhat documents are needed to buy crypto in India?
You need: a valid PAN card, an Aadhaar card (linked to your mobile number), a bank account, and an email address. All four are used during the KYC verification process on Unocoin.
QCan I buy Bitcoin in India with ₹100?
Yes. Unocoin allows you to buy fractional Bitcoin starting from just ₹100. You do not need to buy a whole Bitcoin — fractional purchases are fully supported and tracked in your portfolio.
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.