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@article{199015,
        author = {Anshul Kekatpure and Vaidehi Palkar and Rinkal Chawla and Atharva Rane},
        title = {Cryptocurrency as an Alternative Investment in India},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {14463-14473},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=199015},
        abstract = {Cryptocurrency has emerged as a rapidly growing financial asset class, attracting considerable attention from investors across the globe, including India. This paper examines cryptocurrency as an alternative investment avenue in the Indian market, with a focus on its risk-return profile, diversification potential, and the regulatory environment governing it. The study employs a mixed-method approach, drawing on primary survey data alongside secondary material from government publications, central bank reports, and global analytics platforms. The findings reveal that the prospect of high returns and the ease of access to trading platforms are the chief factors driving cryptocurrency adoption among Indian investors, particularly those belonging to younger age groups. At the same time, the market is characterised by significant price volatility, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and a rising incidence of fraud all of which make cryptocurrency a distinctly high-risk proposition. The absence of a clear regulatory framework, compounded by a 30 per cent flat tax on gains and a one per cent Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on transactions under the Finance Act, 2022, has introduced further uncertainty into investor decision-making. The paper concludes that while cryptocurrency presents genuine opportunities for portfolio diversification and financial innovation, its long-term viability in India is contingent upon the formulation of a balanced regulatory framework one that protects investors without stifling the pace of technological progress.},
        keywords = {Cryptocurrency, Alternative Investment, India, Risk-Return, Blockchain, Regulation, Portfolio Diversification},
        month = {April},
        }