Crypto education · Free
Understand crypto before you touch it.
What a blockchain is, how coins differ from tokens, how India taxes crypto, how wallets and keys work, the real risks, and how crypto scams operate. Nothing to buy here.
This is education only. PaisaTrade does not offer trading in any currency or crypto asset, takes no deposits, and does not recommend any broker, exchange, wallet, pair or coin.
What you will learn
- 1What Crypto Actually Is7 min · quiz of 3
- 2Legal Position and Tax in India8 min · quiz of 3
- 3Wallets, Keys and Custody7 min · quiz of 3
- 4Coins, Tokens and Stablecoins6 min · quiz of 3
- 5The Real Risks7 min · quiz of 3
- 6How Crypto Scams Work7 min · quiz of 3
A final exam and a verifiable certificate at the end.
Where India stands
- Crypto is not legal tender in India and is not issued or backed by the RBI.
- Holding and trading it is not banned, but it is not regulated like shares.
- Gains on virtual digital assets are taxed at 30% plus surcharge and cess.
- Losses cannot be set off against other gains or income, and 1% TDS applies on transfers above the limits.
- Crypto businesses must register with FIU-IND. There is no investor compensation scheme if a platform fails.
Tax and regulation change. Check the Income Tax Department's website or a chartered accountant before you file.
Scams to recognise
- Fake exchanges and apps that block withdrawals
- Online "friends" who introduce an investment platform
- Daily-return and referral schemes
- "Send 1, get 2 back" giveaways
- Airdrop links that ask you to connect your wallet
- Anyone who asks for your seed phrase
Words you will meet
- Blockchain
- A shared record kept by many computers, with entries grouped into linked blocks.
- Coin
- The asset of its own blockchain, such as bitcoin on Bitcoin.
- Token
- An asset created by a program on someone else's blockchain. Anyone can create one.
- Stablecoin
- A token that aims to hold a fixed value, usually one US dollar. An aim, not a guarantee.
- Private key
- The secret number that controls the assets. Whoever has it controls them.
- Seed phrase
- The 12 or 24 words that back up a private key. Never share it with anyone.
- Custody
- Who holds the keys: an exchange on your behalf, or you yourself.
- VDA
- Virtual digital asset: the term Indian tax law uses for crypto assets.
Common questions
Is crypto legal in India?
Holding and trading crypto is not banned in India, but crypto is not legal tender and is not regulated like securities. Crypto businesses must register with the Financial Intelligence Unit under the anti-money-laundering law, and gains are taxed as virtual digital assets.
How is crypto taxed in India?
As the rules stand in 2026, gains on virtual digital assets are taxed at 30% plus surcharge and cess, only the cost of acquisition can be deducted, losses cannot be set off or carried forward, and 1% TDS applies on transfers above the specified limits. Confirm the current rules with the Income Tax Department or a chartered accountant.
Does PaisaTrade sell crypto or recommend coins?
No. PaisaTrade is an education platform. It is not an exchange, does not hold or sell any crypto asset and does not recommend any coin, token, exchange or wallet.
What will I learn in the Crypto Basics course?
What a blockchain is, India's legal and tax position, wallets, keys and custody, coins, tokens and stablecoins, the real risks, and how crypto scams work. Each lesson ends with a quiz and the course ends with an exam and certificate.
Legal and tax points are a plain-language summary as understood in 2026 and are not legal or tax advice. PaisaTrade is not a broker, exchange or SEBI-registered adviser.