Coinbase Plots Full Comeback in India, Fiat Support Expected in 2026
Coinbase, the most important US-based cryptocurrency trade, has resumed consumer onboarding in India after a two-year pause.
This return follows sustained engagement with Indian regulators. Despite heavy taxes and regulatory friction, India continues to point out fast progress in digital asset adoption.
Coinbase Reopens Doors to Indian Users
Coinbase initially launched in India in April 2022, focusing on a rising crypto consumer base. However, regulatory headwinds emerged rapidly.
The platform suspended support for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) shortly after the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) distanced itself from the platform. By September 2023, Coinbase had stopped accepting new Indian sign-ups and advised current customers to withdraw their balances.
Despite this setback, the corporate continued working to reestablish its presence in India. In February, BeInCrypto reported that the trade had begun actively working with Indian regulators to align with native compliance necessities.
According to TechCrunch, Coinbase started permitting Indian customers to return to the platform in October by an early-access program. The app registration has now been opened extensively, though Indian prospects are nonetheless restricted to crypto-to-crypto transactions.
During India Blockchain Week, Coinbase’s APAC director, John O’Loghlen, mentioned the corporate is getting ready to introduce a fiat on-ramp in 2026, which might enable customers to add local currency and buy cryptocurrency straight.
“We had tens of millions of shoppers in India, traditionally, and we took a really clear stance to off-board these prospects completely from abroad entities, the place they have been domiciled and controlled. Because we needed to sort of burn the boats [sic], have a clear slate right here. As a industrial enterprise individual eager to make cash and lively customers, that’s just like the worst factor you are able to do, and so you recognize it wasn’t with out some hesitation,” O’Loghlen stated.
Coinbase’s reentry is broader than simply platform entry. In October 2025, it introduced a strategic investment in CoinDCX, one among India’s largest crypto trade, which serves over 20.4 million customers.
Last week, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Karnataka’s state authorities to strengthen the state’s blockchain ecosystem and technical capabilities. The partnership facilities on developer coaching, early-stage startup incubation, and public consciousness initiatives.
Why Exchanges Are Rushing Back Into India’s Crypto Market
In addition to Coinbase, a number of different main international exchanges have returned to the Indian market. Bybit resumed operations after finishing native registration necessities and paying a $1 million penalty. Binance additionally made its means again into India final 12 months following the payment of a $2.2 million fine.
This renewed push to function in India is notable given the nation’s strict tax regime. Crypto positive factors are taxed at 30%, and each transaction carries a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). Still, India leads Asia-Pacific in crypto exercise.
“India, the most important at $338 billion, blends grassroots adoption with structural gaps in finance: a big diaspora has remittance wants, younger adults are utilizing crypto buying and selling as a supplementary earnings, and fintech rails like UPI and eRupi speed up utilization,” Chainalysis highlighted.
Thus, whereas India’s regulatory setting stays difficult, the renewed curiosity from Coinbase, Binance, Bybit, and others highlights the market’s long-term potential. With robust grassroots adoption and ongoing authorities engagement, India is positioning itself as a central hub for digital asset innovation in the Asia-Pacific area.
The submit Coinbase Plots Full Comeback in India, Fiat Support Expected in 2026 appeared first on BeInCrypto.
