Coinbase has officially reopened its mobile app for user registration in India after a hiatus of more than two years. This relaunch comes after Coinbase re-registered with Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND), aligning with local anti-money-laundering regulations — a mandatory step for crypto exchanges in India.
What services are available now — and what’s coming
- For now, Indian users can engage in crypto-to-crypto trading (i.e. trading one cryptocurrency for another) via Coinbase.
- Coinbase plans to introduce a fiat on-ramp by 2026, which would allow users to deposit Indian rupees, fund their account, and directly purchase cryptocurrencies — something that was not possible during its previous India stint.
- The company has also increased its local commitments: it has expanded its workforce in India and made further investments in local crypto infrastructure.
Why Coinbase left — and why it’s coming back
🚫 What went wrong in 2022–2023
Coinbase originally entered India in April 2022, with support for the country’s UPI payment system to allow INR-to-crypto conversion. However, within days, the country’s payment regulator declined to recognise Coinbase for UPI transactions — forcing the exchange to suspend payments.
By 2023, Coinbase exited the country entirely, asking Indian users to close their accounts.
✅ What changed now
This time, Coinbase re-entered after obtaining formal registration with FIU-IND earlier in 2025, signalling compliance with anti-money-laundering norms — a key requirement under Indian regulations.
The global exchange appears confident about India’s long-term potential, backed by investments, local hiring, and regulatory engagement.
What this means for India’s crypto ecosystem
- Coinbase’s return adds a major global player to the Indian crypto market, alongside other exchanges that have recently re-entered after compliance upgrades
- For Indian crypto users, the planned fiat on-ramp means easier access — no longer needing to rely solely on crypto-to-crypto trades or offshore platforms.
- It may stimulate renewed interest and confidence among retail investors and could encourage further regulatory clarity or market-oriented reforms.
What to watch next
- When Coinbase activates the fiat on-ramp (expected by 2026). That will be the true test of its re-entry strategy.
- Whether Indian regulators update rules or taxation frameworks around cryptocurrencies — which remain a significant concern in the market.
- How other international and domestic exchanges respond — competition is likely to intensify.
Final thought
Coinbase’s return to India after a two-year hiatus marks a major milestone in the country’s evolving cryptocurrency journey. With compliance taken care of and a fiat on-ramp in the pipeline, Coinbase India could soon offer a smoother, more regulated pathway for Indians to enter the crypto world.
