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.​

SEC Delays Decisions on Bitwise and Franklin Templeton’s XRP and Dogecoin ETFs. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed its decisions on two proposed cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that would hold Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP.

The filings respond to March proposals by NYSE Arca and Cboe BZX Exchange to list ETFs from Bitwise and Franklin Templeton. On the same day, Nasdaq filed to list a 21Shares Dogecoin ETF. ​

As of April 29, Dogecoin is the most heavily traded memecoin, with a market capitalization of approximately $26 billion, while XRP, the native token of the XRP Ledger blockchain, has a market cap of around $133 billion.​

In 2025, the SEC has received requests to authorize dozens of altcoin ETFs for U.S. listing. As of April 21, approximately 70 crypto ETFs were awaiting the SEC’s review. Asset managers are proposing funds holding a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including XRP, Litecoin, Solana, and Dogecoin. ​

The surge in ETF applications follows a shift in the SEC’s leadership and regulatory stance. In January 2025, former SEC Chair Gary Gensler resigned, leading to a wave of crypto ETF filings from asset managers anticipating a more relaxed regulatory climate. ​

While the SEC’s delays are standard procedure, analysts suggest that investor interest in altcoin ETFs may be less robust compared to funds holding core cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas likened the approval of a crypto ETF to a band getting its songs on streaming services: “Doesn’t guarantee listens but it puts your music where the vast majority of the listeners are.” ​

The SEC’s decisions on these and other crypto ETFs are anticipated in the coming months, with final deadlines potentially extending into October.

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.​