Crypto exchange platform Bybit is set to impose increased charges on Indian users as it adopts India’s 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) across a wide range of its offerings. This move, effective July 7, 2025, follows the company’s announcement on July 4, confirming its compliance with India’s digital asset taxation rules and signaling the discontinuation of certain services in the region.
As per Bybit’s official statement, under the Indian tax regime, Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers are mandated to apply an 18% GST on both service and trading fees for users residing in India.
To adhere to this regulation, Bybit will enforce the tax on a number of services, including spot and margin trading, derivatives, fiat-related transactions, and crypto withdrawals. The GST will be automatically deducted from transaction proceeds. For example, an individual selling 1 BTC for 100,000 USDT will now receive only 99,882 USDT, after a 118 USDT deduction covering both platform fees and GST.
Furthermore, Unified Trading Accounts will attract GST on all conversion activities such as auto-repayments and forced liquidations. The On-Chain Earn staking service will also reflect GST deductions from interest-related service fees, although APR Boost rewards will remain untaxed.
Bybit’s latest move adds to the mounting operational costs faced by Indian crypto participants, as regulatory frameworks tighten around the digital asset space.
Bybit Expands GST Coverage and Halts Key Services for Indian Users Amid Regulatory Pressure
Bybit has announced further changes impacting Indian users, including the imposition of 18% GST on all crypto withdrawals, even those involving asset recovery from incorrect deposits. The tax also extends to transactions conducted via Bybit Pay, fiat buy/sell services, and OTC trading. According to the exchange:
“GST will be applied to all user-to-merchant transfers and calculated based on the transaction spread.”
Additionally, GST will be factored into order cost calculations, causing an upward adjustment in initial and maintenance margin fee components. This new tax layer adds to India’s existing 30% tax on crypto gains and the 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source), further increasing the overall tax burden on Indian crypto users.
Starting July 9, Bybit will begin disabling certain services within the country. Legacy crypto loans, the Bybit card, and several automated trading bots—including Spot Grid, DCA, and Futures Combo—will be phased out. Users with active Bybit cards will be restricted from making new transactions by July 17, and all outstanding loan balances will be automatically settled.
These actions are part of Bybit’s broader push to fully comply with Indian regulations. However, many in the crypto space argue that the compounding tax pressures and shrinking service access could stifle innovation and deter wider crypto adoption across India’s fast-growing digital asset market.
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