CBI arrests Darwin Labs co-founder Ayush Varshney in ₹20,000 crore Gain Bitcoin scam case

CBI arrests Darwin Labs co-founder Ayush Varshney in a ₹20,000 crore Bitcoin scam linked to Gain Bitcoin.

The CBI has arrested Darwin Labs co-founder Ayush Varshney, one of the main accused in the ₹20,000 crore Gain Bitcoin currency scam case, officials said on Wednesday (March 11, 2026).

The agency had issued a Look Out Circular against Mr. Varshney. His attempt to flee the country on Monday (March 9, 2026) triggered an alert, leading to his detention at the Mumbai airport, they said. Mr. Varshney was formally arrested on Tuesday (March 10, 2026).

According to the CBI, Darwin Labs designed and developed the digital infrastructure which formed the operational backbone of the alleged fraudulent enterprise Gain Bitcoin.

During the investigation, the agency detected the alleged involvement of Darwin Labs Private Limited and its co-founders -- Mr. Varshney, Sahil Baghla and Nikunj Jain, the chief capital officer and founder at Vaomi AI in the design, development and deployment of a cryptocurrency token known as MCAP and its associated ERC-20 smart contract.

In a statement, it said that Darwin Labs allegedly played a central role in building the technological architecture underpinning the cryptocurrency ponzi scam perpetrated through a web of platforms, including the flagship site www.gainbitcoin.com.

It was allegedly masterminded by Amit Bhardwaj (now deceased) and his brother Ajay Bhardwaj, the officials said.