The Indian bitcoin startup Zebpay announced a bitcoin sale with 10% discount on November 9 which is the day of Lakshmi and Kubera, the gods of money.

 Zebpay will distribute free vouchers worth 10% of bitcoin purchase through Amazon to celebrate Dhanteras on November 9. The company calls the promotional event Great Indian Bitcoin Sale. Vouchers can be purchased for 100-500 rupees.

Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is the first day of a five-day festival. The word Dhana means “wealth” and is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Kubera, the god of wealth and assets, is also celebrated on this day. Business community celebrates Dhanteras by purchasing precious metals. There is a Hindu custom to wear jewelry and buy gold and silver decorations or other utensils. Zebpay's offer hence suggests that bitcoin is a new precious metal.

In January 2015 Zebpay announced the launch of a mobile wallet app for Android which enables users to send bitcoins to anyone in their address book only using the recipient’s mobile number, without bitcoin addresses or QR codes. The company sees its mission in bringing bitcoins “to everyone for everyday use.” The payments are confirmed instantly because the company uses its own off-blockchain wallet. In March 2015 Zebpay organised the ‘Future of Money’ bitcoin conference in Ahmedabad, India.

Sonya Belova