Smarak Swain - Discussion on Tax, Startups, Technology (blockchain, DAO, Cryptocurrency), and Policies.

BlitzBusiness Indian Podcast

Podcast Timstamp

Beginning - Intro and Smarak Swain journey (from IIT to IRS to being an author)

7 mins - Journey as as an author

15 mins - Loan against shares (LAS) scams / fraud examples Haridas Mundhra, Ketan Parikh (k10), Geetanjali Gems(2014), Pump & Dump Schemes cycle.

26 mins - Startups Valuations, digital regulations and

32 mins - Startup loopholes / Tax avoidance

45 mins- Thought Experiment on Cyber hacking

51 mins - Dichotomy of Gold/ Bitcoin / Silk Road

55 mins - Anecdotal stories - loosing the entire capital

60 mins - Tech Future / Decentralised Twitter (DAO), Cryptocurrency

Smarak Swain graduated from IIT Kharagpur in 2006 and went on to join the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in 2008. He is a post-graduate in taxation & business laws from NALSAR University, Hyderabad, and recently received a Masters in Public Administration from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

He has wide experience in tax audit and financial investigation of multinational corporations, charitable trusts, and businesses in the informal sector. He is a master trainer in National Academy of Direct Taxes of India.

He has written 10 books, including bestselling books Loophole Games: A Treatise on Tax Avoidance Strategies and The Great Indian Fraud. Presently, he works for the Finance Ministry as Director of India’s Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) Program. In his workplace, he is considered a resource person for tax, tech, and trade policies.