- FIU-IND issued non-compliance notices to 15 offshore crypto platforms serving India.
- India is seeking app and URL takedowns for unregistered offshore exchanges.
- FIU rules apply by activity in India, not by an exchange’s physical presence.
India’s enforcement against offshore crypto platforms is moving from registration demands to the channels users rely on for access. As part of that broader push, FIU-IND has issued non-compliance notices to 15 virtual digital asset service providers under Section 13 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
At the same time, the agency has sought takedowns of their apps and URLs from public access in India. For Indian traders, a crypto exchange available today could become harder to reach after regulatory action.
India Targets Apps and URLs of 15 Offshore Crypto Platforms
The 15 platforms are Weex, Blofin, Rezorex, Bitunix, DigiFinex, Toobit, XT.com, Latoken, WOO X, Pionex, ChangeNow, SimpleSwap, Fixedfloat, WhiteBIT, and Guardarian. FIU-IND said its director acted under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act and Rule 3(1)(d) of the 2025 intermediary-rule amendments.
The September 9 statement confirms that takedown notices were issued, but it does not say every named app or website has already been blocked. As a result, some users may still be able to log in, withdraw funds, or retrieve records before any access restrictions take effect.
However, earlier enforcement shows that such notices can lead to broader restrictions. Initially, FIU-IND sought URL blocks against nine offshore exchanges in December 2023, while Bybit’s websites were later blocked after continued non-compliance.
What FIU-IND’s Action Changes for Indian Crypto Traders
India brought VDA service providers under its anti-money laundering and counter-financing framework in March 2023. The rules cover crypto-fiat exchange, transfers, custody, and related services.
Crucially, FIU-IND says compliance depends on the activity conducted in India, rather than where a company is incorporated. Therefore, an offshore crypto exchange cannot avoid registration simply because it lacks an Indian office.
Similarly, alternative access routes do not remove that obligation. Existing apps, mirror domains, or other technical methods may preserve access temporarily, but they do not make an unregistered platform compliant.
For Indian traders, the immediate risk is operational rather than punitive. The latest action does not announce customer balance freezes, confiscation, or penalties against individual users.
However, if access becomes restricted, users could face difficulties with withdrawals, customer support, and retrieving transaction histories. As a result, relying on platforms outside the registered FIU framework may create greater operational uncertainty.
At the same time, FIU registration should not be mistaken for investor protection. The Finance Ministry has reiterated that crypto products and NFTs remain unregulated and may offer no regulatory recourse for losses.
Therefore, users should closely monitor official notices, registration status, app availability, and withdrawal access. They should also retain transaction histories and tax records in case access conditions change.
Related: Best FIU-Registered Crypto Platforms in India: Features, Risks & Tax Rules
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