The country with the highest demand for gold just outlawed gold. Shit got real.

[n0ne]

These were just for the political power holding they issue statements. These were highly not possible to collect exact data of gold each person has. Among this small percentage of them use it for investment, so when it comes to effect this won't be working as planned.

[Dahhi]

Tough luck implementing that policy in a country of over 1.2bn people.
How many cops will be needed to search people's home to know the amount of gold they have - assuming those people won't hide it fast?

[serjent05]

Funny how the title said gold is outlawed / ban when the article said that they are allowing people to own some percentage.  Isn't the title even the description of the OP exaggerated.  I think gold is regulated but not banned.  That's it.

[jondeen707]

The country with the highest demand for gold (India), just outlawed gold. Shit just got real. Citizens homes will be searched and 85% of wealth will be confiscated.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/No-tax-on-jewellery/gold-purchased-out-of-disclosed-income-Finance-Ministry/articleshow/55724734.cms

Looks like India currently requires Digital Gold for many in order to avoid permanent seizure in the amount of 85% of their assets as "TAX"... Bitcoin demand is going to rocket. Expecting record demand. Killer app activated.

Many analysts predicted such a move would likely occur and thus dampen gold demand in India. However this demand will likely shift to other products like bitcoin.

India is the second most populous country (with over 1.2 billion people), and the most populous democracy in the world.

The country with the highest demand in the world for gold, just outlawed gold. Shit just got real.

"Your gold is safe. 500 grams per married woman will not be seized..."

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gold-jewellery-married-lady-income-tax-raids-demonetisation/1/824321.html

"During search operations, conducted by I-T Department, there would be no seizure of gold jewellery and ornaments to the extent of 500 grams per married women, 250 grams per unmarried women as also 100 grams per male member of the family, it said.

The Bill, which is currently under consideration of the Rajya Sabha, will amend Section 115BBE of the Income Tax Act to provide for a steep 60 per cent tax and a 25 per cent surcharge on it (total 75 per cent) for black money holders.

Another section inserted provides for an additional 10 per cent penalty on being established that the undeclared wealth is unaccounted or black money, taking the total incidence of levies to 85 per cent."

Judging by the amounts that will be exempt from that new law, India is one hell of a rich country. Jokes aside, they are clearly going after tax evaders and corrupt officials and their family members.

[geofflosophy]

I do not get why most of you think that Bitcoin will sky rocket because of the situation in India. There are some hurdles to overcome over there before they can buy Bitcoins. Do not forget that it is a third world country where most are not connected to the internet nor do they have access. Also most of the people there are poor and if they have savings, Bitcoin would be the last in their priorities.

Because bitcoin is trading at a huge premium in India.

[Wind_FURY]

I do not get why most of you think that Bitcoin will sky rocket because of the situation in India. There are some hurdles to overcome over there before they can buy Bitcoins. Do not forget that it is a third world country where most are not connected to the internet nor do they have access. Also most of the people there are poor and if they have savings, Bitcoin would be the last in their priorities.

Because bitcoin is trading at a huge premium in India.

At what exchange is it trading and at what volumes are we speaking about? If it is at Local Bitcoins, I would argue that all of the Bitcoins traded there are priced at a premium and that the volume there is not really that high compared to the exchanges like BTCe or Bitstamp. Chinese exchanges are also trading slightly higher than most because the Chinese traders are pumping the price. It does not necessarily mean that the ordinary people are buying Bitcoins with their savings.

[geofflosophy]

I do not get why most of you think that Bitcoin will sky rocket because of the situation in India. There are some hurdles to overcome over there before they can buy Bitcoins. Do not forget that it is a third world country where most are not connected to the internet nor do they have access. Also most of the people there are poor and if they have savings, Bitcoin would be the last in their priorities.

Because bitcoin is trading at a huge premium in India.

At what exchange is it trading and at what volumes are we speaking about? If it is at Local Bitcoins, I would argue that all of the Bitcoins traded there are priced at a premium and that the volume there is not really that high compared to the exchanges like BTCe or Bitstamp. Chinese exchanges are also trading slightly higher than most because the Chinese traders are pumping the price. It does not necessarily mean that the ordinary people are buying Bitcoins with their savings.

All exchanges in India. For example price right now on Unocoin is 57394 which is about $850 USD ($90 higher). It was over 20% premium just a couple of weeks ago.

[Przemax]

India has a cultural and religious bias towards gold. They dont treat it as an investition, so I wouldnt expect for it to have some relation to bitcoin price. On the contrary, people tend to avoid risky investment on turmoiled situations. If the situation would affect anything is price of jewelery, and the amount  of fake gold in the market.

[alyssa85]

India has a cultural and religious bias towards gold. They dont treat it as an investition, so I wouldnt expect for it to have some relation to bitcoin price. On the contrary, people tend to avoid risky investment on turmoiled situations. If the situation would affect anything is price of jewelery, and the amount  of fake gold in the market.

Yup.

Also - given the recent mess over the changing of the 500 and 100 rupee notes, these threats about gold will just make the Indian population throw the current govt out at the next election, to prevent their assets being seized.

The difference between places like China (where the govt can and does make threats to the population), and India, is that India is a democracy and they enjoy throwing politicians out, and the politicians know this and have a healthy fear of the voters.

[Wind_FURY]

I do not get why most of you think that Bitcoin will sky rocket because of the situation in India. There are some hurdles to overcome over there before they can buy Bitcoins. Do not forget that it is a third world country where most are not connected to the internet nor do they have access. Also most of the people there are poor and if they have savings, Bitcoin would be the last in their priorities.

Because bitcoin is trading at a huge premium in India.

At what exchange is it trading and at what volumes are we speaking about? If it is at Local Bitcoins, I would argue that all of the Bitcoins traded there are priced at a premium and that the volume there is not really that high compared to the exchanges like BTCe or Bitstamp. Chinese exchanges are also trading slightly higher than most because the Chinese traders are pumping the price. It does not necessarily mean that the ordinary people are buying Bitcoins with their savings.

All exchanges in India. For example price right now on Unocoin is 57394 which is about $850 USD ($90 higher). It was over 20% premium just a couple of weeks ago.

Unocoin is a new exchange , am I right? Getting premium prices usually happens when the volumes are fairly low. An example of this is the trading that is going on at Local Bitcoins. That is very understandable and it does not really say anything about the current situation of Bitcoin in India except that it is new and that market will become efficient sooner or later.

[geofflosophy]

I do not get why most of you think that Bitcoin will sky rocket because of the situation in India. There are some hurdles to overcome over there before they can buy Bitcoins. Do not forget that it is a third world country where most are not connected to the internet nor do they have access. Also most of the people there are poor and if they have savings, Bitcoin would be the last in their priorities.

Because bitcoin is trading at a huge premium in India.

At what exchange is it trading and at what volumes are we speaking about? If it is at Local Bitcoins, I would argue that all of the Bitcoins traded there are priced at a premium and that the volume there is not really that high compared to the exchanges like BTCe or Bitstamp. Chinese exchanges are also trading slightly higher than most because the Chinese traders are pumping the price. It does not necessarily mean that the ordinary people are buying Bitcoins with their savings.

All exchanges in India. For example price right now on Unocoin is 57394 which is about $850 USD ($90 higher). It was over 20% premium just a couple of weeks ago.

Unocoin is a new exchange , am I right? Getting premium prices usually happens when the volumes are fairly low. An example of this is the trading that is going on at Local Bitcoins. That is very understandable and it does not really say anything about the current situation of Bitcoin in India except that it is new and that market will become efficient sooner or later.

And Zebpay. And Localbitcoins. It's more about the money that they devalued but traditionally gold would have been the safe haven and with that under threat bitcoin will only continue to gain grounds. India's adoption is just beginning.

[TastyChillySauce00]

I do not get why most of you think that Bitcoin will sky rocket because of the situation in India. There are some hurdles to overcome over there before they can buy Bitcoins. Do not forget that it is a third world country where most are not connected to the internet nor do they have access. Also most of the people there are poor and if they have savings, Bitcoin would be the last in their priorities.

Because bitcoin is trading at a huge premium in India.

At what exchange is it trading and at what volumes are we speaking about? If it is at Local Bitcoins, I would argue that all of the Bitcoins traded there are priced at a premium and that the volume there is not really that high compared to the exchanges like BTCe or Bitstamp. Chinese exchanges are also trading slightly higher than most because the Chinese traders are pumping the price. It does not necessarily mean that the ordinary people are buying Bitcoins with their savings.

All exchanges in India. For example price right now on Unocoin is 57394 which is about $850 USD ($90 higher). It was over 20% premium just a couple of weeks ago.

Unocoin is a new exchange , am I right? Getting premium prices usually happens when the volumes are fairly low. An example of this is the trading that is going on at Local Bitcoins. That is very understandable and it does not really say anything about the current situation of Bitcoin in India except that it is new and that market will become efficient sooner or later.

Really curious how India are only having such low volume of bitcoin while it could available easily if the exchangers just going to buy from anywhere around the world. it's not as hard as sending stuff through Fedex which could take few days. maybe the exchangers itself having a play on it to gain some additional profit out of this circumstance, who knows?