Key Highlights
- Bitget halts new registration, aligning with local FIU-IND requirements.
- The exchange stated that the pause does not affect existing Bitget users in India.
- The move highlights the impact of India’s tightened compliance regulation on crypto exchanges.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has announced a temporary restriction on new user sign-ups in India, starting from February 6 at 4 PM IST. The exchange stated that the decision aligns with the local Financial Intelligence Unit of India (FIU-IND) requirements.
In an X post on Wednesday, the company stated that the pause does not affect existing Bitget users in India. Registered users can continue to access their accounts, including balances, deposits, and withdrawals.
Bitget noted that the update does not impact other trading activity or ongoing transactions for registered users. The restriction applies only to users attempting to sign up after the effective date using India as their country of residence or Indian KYC documents.
What are FIU regulations?
The move follows the implementation of updated regulations by FIU-IND for Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) service providers, including exchanges and wallet providers, which came into effect in January 2026.
Under the updated framework, exchanges are required to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). New users are required to complete live selfie verification during onboarding, which needs real-time actions such as blinking or head movement to prove presence. This is intended to prevent identity fraud using forged images, recorded videos, or deepfakes.
The rules also mandate location tracking at the time of registration. Exchanges like Bitget are asked to keep a record of details such as the user’s IP address, latitude, longitude, and account creation details, along with other things. It aims to help regulators monitor account origins and investigate suspicious activity.
Community reaction
Following the announcement, online discussions emerged as netizens and crypto enthusiasts shared their responses. One X user commented, “If your funds are on Bitget so be careful. It’s starting to look similar to what happened with Exness and MEXC. The best option right now is to move your funds to a reliable exchange or shift them to your personal wallet or hardware wallet.”
Another netizen wrote, “bitget pausing new signups in india rn, hope regs clear up soon.”
Others pointed to recent regulation changes in India, calling on authorities to simplify the framework to promote a more crypto-friendly environment.
Broader context
Bitget’s move to temporarily halt new user registration highlights the impact of India’s tightened compliance regulation on crypto exchanges in the country. While registered users remain unaffected for now, the pause reflects the exchange’s step to meet FIU-IND requirements. The development also focuses on the broader uncertainty in India’s crypto market as exchanges deal with updated onboarding rules.
Also Read: Miss a Crypto Tax Filing? India’s Budget 2026 Introduces Daily Penalties
