How Local Companies Can Accept Payments Using Bitcoin

For Indian entrepreneurs, the integration of digital assets into daily operations remains a complex regulatory puzzle.

Ether Could Soar to $1.5 Million, Says EMJ Capital’s Eric Jackson

Ethereum could be headed for massive gains over the coming years, with its price potentially climbing as high as $1.5 million per token, according to EMJ Capital founder Eric Jackson.

In a detailed series of posts on X, Jackson explained why he believes Ethereum (ETH) remains undervalued, even after recent ETF approvals. He described Ethereum as quietly becoming the dominant infrastructure for crypto transactions, with a deflationary model that supports long-term growth.

Why Jackson Is Bullish on Ethereum

Jackson sees Ethereum evolving into the primary “rail system” for digital transactions. Combined with its deflationary supply mechanics, he says this makes ETH significantly underpriced.

1. Approval of ETH ETFs that include staking, expected before October 2025.
2. Increased use of the Ethereum blockchain by large traditional finance companies.

According to Jackson:

“Once ETH becomes a productive, staked asset within an ETF wrapper… it’s no longer just ‘digital oil.’ It’s an institutional-grade yield product.”

ETF Approval Still Not Priced In

While the U.S. SEC approved spot ETH ETFs in July 2024, Jackson argues the market hasn’t priced in the true impact yet — especially since these early ETFs have underperformed compared to Bitcoin’s.

• Spot Bitcoin ETFs: $6.9 billion in volume
• Spot Ether ETFs: $1.41 billion in volume (source: CoinGlass)

Jackson says the real trigger is staking approval, which would drive demand, reduce circulating supply through increased staking, and turn ETH into a yield-generating asset within an ETF — a powerful draw for institutional investors.

The $1.5 Million Scenario

Jackson believes ETH’s long-term value could reach $1.5 million if Ethereum becomes the go-to platform for global digital commerce.

He pointed to companies like Circle, Coinbase, Shopify, and Robinhood, which already use or support Ethereum’s blockchain.

“If some part of commerce stays in crypto and moves away from fiat, and you believe in the growth of these companies, then you believe in ETH.”

Price Forecast: $10K–$15K This Cycle, Possibly 100x Over Time

Jackson shared two possible price targets for the current bull cycle, expected to end around March 2026:

• Base case: ETH hits $10,000
• Bull case: ETH hits $15,000 if Layer 2 (L2) adoption and ETF inflows exceed expectations

He added that these projections do not factor in any major growth in:

• DeFi (Decentralized Finance)
• Stablecoins
• Usage of L2 networks by apps like Robinhood or Coinbase

If those elements take off as well, ETH could become a “100-bagger” investment — meaning its value could grow 100x over time.

Key Takeaway

Jackson believes Ethereum is on the verge of a breakout, and most investors haven’t realized it yet. With staking ETFs expected soon, rising institutional adoption, and its foundational role in digital commerce, ETH has the potential to deliver generational returns — from $10K this cycle to possibly $1.5M over the long run.

Bitcoin Payment Solutions for Indian Businesses in 2026

StarCryptoNews take: While global giants push crypto adoption, Indian merchants must prioritize FIU-IND compliance over transaction speed.

Small businesses looking to accept Bitcoin payments India small business setups today have access to a matured landscape of VASPs. While direct integration of node-based payments is technically possible, most Indian merchants rely on processors that bridge the gap to INR.

Leading solutions currently available in the Indian market include:

• CoinGate: Offers specialized plugins for WooCommerce and Shopify, supporting instant INR settlement.
• NOWPayments: Popular for its non-custodial approach and support for a wide range of assets beyond Bitcoin.
• Local VASP Integrations: Many domestic exchanges now offer APIs for business accounts to handle inward crypto payments.

Transaction fees for these services usually range between 0.5% and 1.5%. Always check if the processor includes a conversion spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of Bitcoin. You can review current FIU-IND compliance circulars to ensure your chosen provider is registered.

To accept Bitcoin payments as an Indian small business, verify your provider’s registration with the FIU-IND, implement a compliant accounting software for VDA tracking, and prepare for 30% tax on gains under Section 115BBH of the Income Tax Act.

What Are the Tax and GST Requirements for Bitcoin Payments?

StarCryptoNews take: Treating Bitcoin as a standard currency for GST purposes is a dangerous error; it is legally categorized as a VDA, and failing to account for the 30% tax liability can trigger a scrutiny assessment.

When you receive BTC as payment, you are engaging in a barter-like transaction. Under the Finance Act 2022, income from the transfer of VDAs is taxed under Section 115BBH. For a business, this means the value of Bitcoin at the time of receipt must be recorded as revenue in INR.

Consider this example: If you sell a product for ₹10,000 and the customer pays in BTC, you must invoice the ₹10,000 for GST purposes. If you hold that BTC and sell it later for ₹15,000, the ₹5,000 profit is subject to the 30% tax rate under 115BBH, regardless of your business’s tax bracket.

You must report these on ITR-3 as business income. Ensure you maintain detailed logs of the BTC/INR exchange rate at the exact timestamp of the transaction. For further details on classification, refer to the Income Tax Department resources.

Bitcoin Payment Compliance for Indian Businesses 2026

Strategic Implementation for Indian Merchants

Adopting Bitcoin for payments requires a rigorous approach to accounting and regulatory transparency. Ensure your systems track the exact conversion rate for every sale to maintain compliance with GST and income tax requirements.