WazirX Faces Backlash Over Auto-Enrollment in “Zero Fee” Subscription Plan
Just weeks later than its high-profile relaunch, the Indian cryptocurrency platform WazirX has sparked a new wave of user outrage following the debut of its “WazirX ZERO” trading model. Reports emerged on December 18, 2025, that a significant number of users have accused the platform of auto-enrolling them into a paid subscription plan without explicit consent. This controversy centers on the transition from the traditional pay-per-trade fee structure to a subscription-based model, where users are charged a monthly fee of ₹99 (plus taxes) in platform for unlimited trading. While the platform initially offered a “15-Day Free Pass” to celebrate its post-hack recovery, users now claim that their remaining account balances are being automatically drained to cover the subscription costs as the free period expires.
The “Zero Trading” Fee Dispute and Balance Deductions
The friction began on December 1 when WazirX ZERO officially went live, promising to eliminate the standard 0.2% to 0.5% transaction fees that often eat into trader profits. To encourage adoption, WazirX provided all existing users with an automatic free trial that ran until December 15. However, as the trial concluded, many users were shocked to find ₹99 deductions from their portfolios. Critics argue that the opt-out mechanism was not sufficiently clear, leading to a situation where dormant accounts—many of which still hold “rebalanced” funds following the 2024 hack—are being charged for a service they do not intend to use. Social media platforms have been flooded with screenshots of these deductions, with many users characterizing the move as a desperate “liquidity grab” by an platform still struggling to regain its footing later than losing $230 million in a North Korean cyberattack last year.
Management Defends the Model Amidst Rebuilding Efforts
In response to the growing backlash, WazirX management has maintained that the subscription model was clahead communicated through a series of blog posts and emails titled “A New Era of Crypto Trading.” According to the platform, the model is designed to provide “long-term value” to active traders by capping their monthly costs, a strategy intended to boost platform volume as it competes with global giants like Binance and Coinbase. WazirX officials pointed out that users have the option to switch back to the “Pay Per Trade” model at any time through their account settings. However, the optics of the auto-enrollment remain a significant hurdle for the firm’s “RRR” (Restructure, Rebegin, Rebuild) strategy. As the platform navigates this latest PR crisis, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragile trust between WazirX and its 16 million users, many of whom are still waiting for the full recovery of their assets under the Singapore-sanctioned restructuring scheme
