The Karnataka High Court has directed the Indian government to block access to Proton Mail, a Swiss-based encrypted email service, following allegations that it was used to disseminate obscene and AI-generated deepfake content targeting employees of an Indian design firm.​

On April 29, Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, instructing the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Ministry of Communications to initiate proceedings to block Proton Mail in India. The court also mandated the immediate blocking of specific URLs associated with the offensive content.​

The case was brought forth by Bengaluru-based M Moser Design Associates, which reported that its female employees received emails containing sexually explicit language and AI-generated deepfake images. The firm alleged that Proton Mail’s refusal to disclose sender information hindered police investigations, prompting the legal action.​

This is not the first instance of Proton Mail facing scrutiny in India. In 2024, authorities in Tamil Nadu sought to block the service after it was allegedly used to send hoax bomb threats to schools. However, the block was not implemented, reportedly due to interventions by Swiss authorities.​

The court’s recent directive raises broader concerns about the balance between digital privacy and national security. While Proton Mail is lauded for its end-to-end encryption and commitment to user privacy, critics argue that such features can impede law enforcement efforts when the service is misused.​

As of now, Proton Mail remains accessible in India. The implementation of the court’s order will depend on the government’s response and potential diplomatic discussions with Swiss authorities.​

Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget and blockchain platform Avalanche have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Web3 development across India. The collaboration includes a commitment of at least $10 million in funding for mini-grants, scholarships, hackathons, and educational workshops, with initial efforts concentrated in Delhi and Bangalore.​

India’s Web3 ecosystem has experienced significant growth, despite stringent crypto taxation policies. According to local exchange CoinSwitch, crypto investments surged in 2024, with the highest concentrations in Delhi (20.1%), Bengaluru (9.6%), and Mumbai (6.5%). Young adults aged 18 to 35 now represent nearly 75% of the country’s crypto investors. While Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) remain popular, Dogecoin (DOGE) attracted the most investment in 2024, with memecoins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Pepe (PEPE) also gaining traction.​

The partnership between Bitget and Avalanche aligns with a broader trend of global exchanges reentering or exploring the Indian market. In February 2025, Bybit registered with local authorities and resumed services in the country, while Coinbase initiated discussions with regulators to facilitate its return.​

India is also pursuing a bilateral trade agreement with the United States to avoid reciprocal tariffs and gain access to specific technologies and exports. Web3 venture capital firm Hashed Emergent reports that India accounts for 12% of Web3 developers worldwide and contributed 17% of all new developers entering the crypto space in 2024.​

This initiative by Bitget and Avalanche is poised to further strengthen India’s position as a burgeoning hub for blockchain innovation and Web3 development.​

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF experienced a substantial inflow of $970 million on April 28, marking its second-largest single-day inflow since its inception in January 2024. This significant investment underscores the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin and its associated financial products.​

The influx of capital into IBIT contributed to a total net inflow of over $590 million across U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs on the same day. While IBIT attracted substantial investment, other ETFs saw net outflows or remained flat, with ARK Invest’s ARKB ETF experiencing the highest outflow of $226 million.​

Currently, IBIT holds over $54 billion in assets under management, representing 51% of the total market share among U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. This positions IBIT as the largest spot Bitcoin ETF and the 33rd-largest ETF globally across both crypto and traditional finance sectors.​

Market analysts suggest that the continued inflows into IBIT provide structural support for Bitcoin’s price appreciation. The recent surge in ETF investments coincides with Bitcoin’s price recovery, which has been bolstered by over $3 billion in cumulative net inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs over the past week.​

The growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT indicates a maturing market and a shift towards mainstream acceptance of digital assets. As traditional financial institutions continue to engage with cryptocurrency products, the landscape of digital asset investment is poised for significant evolution.