Payments, Fintech & Accounts

What is a PAN card and why is it required for crypto and investing in India?

A PAN card carries a Permanent Account Number, a unique ten-character identifier issued by India's income tax department to track financial transactions. It is required for crypto and investing because platforms must link your activity to your tax identity for verification, reporting, and compliance. For example, opening an investment account or completing KYC typically requires submitting your PAN so transactions are correctly attributed to you. Providing a PAN is a standard regulatory step for most financial and investment services in India and supports transparent tax reporting.