Two years back in April 2018, the Reserve Bank of India had enforced a ban on cryptocurrency trading that stopped banks from facilitating any service in relation to virtual currencies.

 

At the time, RBI had said the step was important to bridle “ring-fencing” of the country’s financial system. It had also argued that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies cannot be treated as real currencies as they are not metallic or exist in physical form, nor do they have a government stamp.

 

Many local startups and companies offering services to trade in cryptocurrency had panicked when the received a notice from the central bank back in 2018.

 

Justice Rohinton F Nariman today overturned central bank’s circular on the grounds of disproportionality.

 

A group of petitioners including trade body the Internet and Mobile Association of India (MOI) had called out central bank’s circular, in part, arguing that India should look at many other countries that are allowing cryptocurrency trading.

 

Nitin Sharma, a tech investor, said the Supreme Court's ruling was “historic” as it finally brought some clarity in the matter.

 

“Historic day for Crypto in India. We can now innovate. The entire country can participate in the Blockchain  revolution,” said Nischal Shetty, founder and chief executive of Bitcoin exchange platform WazirX.