After a two-year service freeze, the exchange begins rebuilding its presence with crypto-to-crypto trading and renewed regulatory engagement
Coinbase has reopened user registrations in India, marking its formal return after a lengthy withdrawal prompted by regulatory hurdles and the loss of access to local payment infrastructure. The restart signals a renewed effort to operate in one of the world’s largest digital-asset markets, though full services will roll out gradually.
The platform is once again allowing new account signups and providing crypto-to-crypto trading, with a plan to restore fiat on-ramps in 2026. According to company leadership, the firm chose to rebuild its India strategy from the ground up by engaging directly with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Coinbase secured its FIU registration earlier this year, framing it as the foundation for a compliant long-term presence.
The exchange pulled back sharply in 2023 after tensions over the use of domestic payment systems forced it to disable key features. This resulted in a complete service halt and the off-boarding of millions of users. The new rollout aims to avoid a repeat of that disruption by centering operations around regulatory clarity, operational transparency and a staged reopening.
India remains a challenging jurisdiction due to its 30% tax on digital-asset gains, no offset on losses, and a 1% transaction levy, all of which have significantly reduced trading activity across platforms. Even so, Coinbase is deepening its local footprint. The company has increased its investment in a major Indian exchange and plans to expand its 500-plus workforce to support both domestic development and global product lines.
With onboarding now restored and fiat functionality expected next year, Coinbase is positioning itself to reenter India’s competitive digital-asset landscape with a more durable and compliant framework.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.