Coinbase returns to India after a two-year pause, signaling a cautious yet strategic comeback in one of the world’s most challenging crypto markets. The US exchange service will soon allow its users in India to register again. As they finish their exit from India in 2023, they are preparing to have a capital and will allow individual users in India to use their US dollars in 2026. Analysts believe this return to India represents a deliberate strategy that combines strict adherence to existing laws and regulations with positioning Coinbase for the long term in one of Asia’s largest markets. Reports from various cryptocurrency industry sources suggest that Coinbase is likely to have a significant impact on how individuals trade cryptocurrencies in India.
Current operations and available features
During the autumn early-access program, Coinbase strengthened its local team, rolled out marketing campaigns, and tested operational frameworks. Analysts point out that the groundwork being laid now is essential to ensure the platform can scale effectively once fiat channels are introduced.
Why Coinbase exited and why the relaunch is a “clean slate.”
Coinbase first launched in India in 2022 but faced regulatory hurdles that made operations difficult. By September 2023, Coinbase had closed all Indian accounts, ending services for millions of users. The APAC Regional Director called it a “burn the bridges” approach, meaning they left the old system behind to start fresh under new regulatory rules. It is thought that this type of strategy will help eliminate legacy issues while demonstrating seriousness towards both regulators and investors.
Regulatory and political landscape
In March 2025, Coinbase received official approval from India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), allowing it to operate legally. The company has also met with India’s Finance Committee in Parliament and shared its optimism about future rules for digital assets. Furthermore, Coinbase has established an MoU with the Government of Karnataka to explore joint initiatives on startup incubation, a pilot programme on blockchain technology, and the development of a Base ecosystem. According to analysts, Regulatory alignment is an important factor in contributing to Coinbase’s credibility and gives it the credibility it lacked during the prior attempt to enter the Indian Market.
Plans for 2026 and beyond
The next major step is the launch of local fiat on-ramps, expected in 2026. In addition to being a standard trading platform, Coinbase is building out an entire ecosystem around Base, while also helping developers, startups, and real-world use cases for blockchain technology. Experts believe that by doing this, Coinbase has positioned itself not only as another exchange but also as a regional partner for fintech growth and for supporting government technology initiatives, providing a much stronger long-term presence than a pure trading platform could.
Conclusion
After almost two years, Coinbase is back in India, but it’s more than just a reopening. The exchange is focusing on the following regulations, supporting local crypto projects, and working with the government. Analysts say Coinbase has built a solid base for long-term success, showing users and investors that it’s serious about India’s crypto market.
