Can Minors Own Digital Assets?

With the rise of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and other digital tokens, a growing question has emerged: can minors legally own such assets? These digital assets are often traded on platforms that may have age restrictions, and their ownership involves financial transactions that require a certain legal capacity. In India, the legal framework surrounding the ownership of digital assets by minors remains a gray area, with considerations related to contract law, financial regulations, and parental consent playing crucial roles.

Legal Status of Minors Owning Digital Assets in India:

Legal Capacity Under Indian Law:

Minors in India, defined as individuals under the age of 18, lack the legal capacity to enter into contracts according to Indian Contract Act, 1872. This includes contracts related to the purchase, sale, or ownership of digital assets.

Since digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs are typically bought and sold on platforms requiring a valid contract, minors technically cannot enter into these contracts on their own.

Parental or Guardian Consent:

In cases where a minor may wish to own digital assets, they would likely require the consent of a parent or legal guardian to facilitate transactions on their behalf.

A guardian may hold the digital assets in a custodial manner until the minor reaches the age of majority, but the minor cannot independently control or trade these assets until they come of legal age.

Regulation of Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets in India:

As of now, cryptocurrencies in India are not explicitly regulated, but the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have cautioned the public about the risks associated with digital currencies. Indian laws on cryptocurrencies are still in development.

Similarly, NFTs are not regulated specifically by Indian authorities but fall under general principles of property law. The sale or purchase of NFTs typically involves entering into agreements on online platforms, which minors cannot do independently due to the lack of legal capacity.

Platform Terms and Conditions:

Most digital asset platforms (e.g., those offering cryptocurrencies or NFTs) have age restrictions in their Terms of Service. These platforms generally do not allow users under the age of 18 to create accounts or participate in trades.

KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations on these platforms usually require users to provide personal details that confirm their age, which ensures that minors cannot engage in transactions on these platforms independently.

Challenges in Ownership of Digital Assets by Minors:

Lack of Legal Standing:

Minors cannot hold digital assets in their own name due to their lack of legal standing in financial transactions. If a minor enters into a contract without parental consent, the contract is usually considered voidable under Indian law.

This creates significant challenges in managing ownership, trading, or profiting from digital assets, as any agreement made by a minor may not be legally enforceable.

Financial Implications:

Digital assets, especially cryptocurrencies, can be volatile and involve complex financial transactions. Minors may not fully understand the financial risks involved, and thus, parental involvement or oversight is necessary.

Without proper legal guidelines in place, the ownership of such assets by minors could lead to issues related to inheritance, custody, and transfer of assets when the minor reaches adulthood.

Custodianship and Trusts:

One possible solution for minor ownership of digital assets is through trusts or custodianship arrangements. A trustee (such as a parent or legal guardian) can hold and manage the digital assets on behalf of the minor until they reach the legal age.

Some platforms or projects may allow the creation of a custodial account for minors, with the parent or guardian acting as the custodian. However, such arrangements are still relatively rare and depend on the platform’s policies.

Example of Minor Ownership Scenario:

Imagine a minor who is interested in owning a piece of digital art in the form of an NFT. The minor may be able to purchase the NFT, but they would need a parent or legal guardian to facilitate the purchase on their behalf. The parent might set up an account on an NFT platform, make the purchase, and hold the NFT in their account until the minor reaches adulthood. Upon turning 18, the minor may then take full control of the digital asset.

Conclusion:

In India, while minors are not legally allowed to independently own digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs due to restrictions in contract law and the lack of legal capacity, there are ways for them to engage with digital assets under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Given the evolving nature of digital asset regulations, it’s crucial for both minors and their guardians to stay informed about the legalities and risks associated with such ownership. Legal frameworks surrounding the ownership and trade of digital assets by minors may evolve as digital economies and technologies continue to develop.