Bitcoin News Today: India Launches First Bitcoin Think Tank to Boost Financial Sovereignty

On India’s Independence Day, August 15, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. local time, the Bitcoin Policy Institute of India (BPI India) announced the official launch of the country’s first-ever Bitcoin think tank. The initiative, introduced as a strategic move to advance India’s economic sovereignty, was timed to coincide with a day that symbolizes national independence and self-reliance. According to the press release shared with Bitcoin Magazine, the institute seeks to position Bitcoin not just as a financial tool but as a foundation for securing India’s place in a new global monetary system [1].

BPI India plans to provide data-driven research and educational resources to policymakers, regulators, and the public, with a goal of fostering a clear and pro-Bitcoin policy framework. The think tank emphasizes Bitcoin’s potential to serve as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainty, reduce transaction costs, and transform India’s energy surplus into a strategic monetary asset. This approach reflects a trend seen in parts of the Global South, where countries are exploring ways to leverage decentralized systems to enhance financial independence [1].

Mithilesh Kumar Jha, founding fellow at BPI India, stated that the mission of the institute is to ensure India not only participates in the new financial paradigm but leads it. He described Bitcoin as a means to strengthen atmanirbhar—a term widely used in India to denote self-reliance—by building a framework that supports financial sovereignty on a global scale [1].

To achieve its goals, BPI India has outlined a five-pillar approach, which includes the Sovereign Mining Initiative, Policy Advocacy and Research, the Strategic Research Initiative, Education, and Enabling Commerce and Payments. The Sovereign Mining Initiative, for example, seeks to guide state governments on converting renewable energy into Bitcoin, drawing inspiration from the energy and financial model of Bhutan. Avi Burra, another founding fellow, emphasized that a predictable regulatory framework is essential for unlocking India’s potential in Bitcoin innovation while protecting consumers [1].

The institute will begin its work by publishing a white paper on state-level mining opportunities and by initiating educational briefings with policymakers. It also plans to release a “CFO Playbook,” a guide for Indian corporations interested in adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Shreyan Joshi of Bitshala, a prominent Bitcoin education hub in India, praised the initiative, calling it both necessary and timely in the context of India’s evolving financial landscape [1].

The launch of BPI India reflects a broader global trend in which countries and institutions are re-evaluating the role of cryptocurrencies in shaping financial policy. Bitcoin’s increasing relevance in India—currently trading at ₹10,338,548 per BTC—highlights its potential as a store of value and hedge against inflation [2]. With over half of India’s population still lacking access to formal financial services, Bitcoin could play a transformative role in empowering individuals and reducing dependence on traditional banking systems [1].

The think tank’s focus on Bitcoin aligns with India’s growing blockchain and crypto ecosystem, despite the regulatory uncertainties that persist. As institutional investors globally continue to accumulate Bitcoin at an unprecedented rate, BPI India is positioned to help contextualize these trends within the Indian market, offering tailored policy recommendations [4]. Given the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for cryptocurrencies in India, the think tank’s research and advocacy could play a pivotal role in shaping future regulations and public discourse [1].

By advocating for Bitcoin as a tool for financial empowerment and economic resilience, BPI India is contributing to a narrative that increasingly sees digital innovation as a path to sovereignty. The institute’s efforts reflect a broader movement toward financial self-reliance in an era of global economic uncertainty, where decentralized systems are being explored as alternatives to traditional financial infrastructure [1].

Source:

[1] Bitcoin Magazine — [https://bitcoinmagazine.com/politics/indias-first-bitcoin-think-tank-launches-on-independence-day-its-mission-financial-sovereignty](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/politics/indias-first-bitcoin-think-tank-launches-on-independence-day-its-mission-financial-sovereignty)

[2] CoinGecko — [https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/bitcoin/inr](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/bitcoin/inr)

[4] FastBull — [https://www.fastbull.com/news-detail/institutions-are-still-loading-up-on-bitcoin-heres-4339520_0](https://www.fastbull.com/news-detail/institutions-are-still-loading-up-on-bitcoin-heres-4339520_0)