Coinbase Returns to India After Two-Year Exit

The exchange abruptly faded out of the Indian market in late 2023, a year after an ambitious launch collided with banking pushback and legal uncertainty. Rather than continuing under those strained conditions, Coinbase executives later admitted that they made a conscious decision to dismantle the previous operation, close accounts tied to offshore entities, and wait for environment changes.

Key Takeaways

• Coinbase is returning to India after a strategic reset.
• Users can sign up again, with fiat access planned for 2026.
• The exchange is prioritizing government engagement and local partnerships.
• Regulatory approval and ecosystem outreach are shaping its comeback. 

That decision is now shaping a comeback. Registration through its app has reopened, and although users can only swap crypto assets for now, the firm expects to bolt fiat rails back into place in 2026.

Soft Launch Through Community Channels

Instead of a flashy relaunch, Coinbase has eased back in through developer circles. It resurfaced first through an invite-only onboarding program in October — around the same time it brought on marketing leader Karan Malik, who previously handled branding for India Blockchain Week. The company returned to the same event this year as a major sponsor, signaling a gradual rebuilding of local trust.

Courting Policymakers Before Customers

One striking change is Coinbase’s heavy focus on government engagement. At the national level, its representatives have begun appearing in policy discussions, including recent sessions with India’s parliamentary finance committee. The messaging from the company suggests it believes India’s virtual asset rules could evolve into something workable and wants to be front-row when that happens.

Regional governments are also part of the strategy. Karnataka’s technology minister Priyank Kharge recently signed a collaboration agreement with Coinbase India aimed at nurturing blockchain innovation and cybersecurity capabilities. That deal includes support for startups experimenting on Base — Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer-2 network.

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Regulatory Foundations Now in Place

Behind the scenes, the exchange has been ticking compliance boxes. It received clearance from India’s Financial Intelligence Unit earlier this year, paving the way for a licensed re-entry. Meetings between Coinbase executives and local officials throughout 2025 further suggest the exchange has spent time stitching together political backing before turning its app loose again.

A Gradually Rebuilt Bridge

Coinbase did not respond to external media queries about the full scale of its return, but its actions paint a clear picture: the company is not rushing back with trading incentives and public fanfare. Instead, it is building a policy-first, culture-embedded presence in hopes that India will eventually be one of its biggest regulated markets.

If that bet pays off, Coinbase’s temporary departure may be remembered less as a retreat and more as the reset the company believes it always needed.

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