India Mandates Live Selfie and Location for Crypto KYC Compliance
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 12 2026- KYC Procedure Upgrade: India's new regulations require all crypto exchanges to collect live selfies and geographic location data during user onboarding, significantly tightening KYC procedures aimed at combating money laundering and fraud.
- User Impact: Users must now take a live selfie and verify their location when signing up, which adds extra steps to the registration process and may negatively affect user experience, potentially leading to user attrition.
- Compliance Pressure on Exchanges: Crypto exchanges must quickly update their onboarding systems to comply with the new rules, with non-compliance risking penalties or operational suspension, thereby increasing operational costs.
- Regulatory Outlook: While industry participants may view the new requirements as burdensome, experts believe they will help crypto exchanges gain legitimacy and reduce regulatory uncertainty in the long run, pushing the industry towards formal regulation.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
