- Coinbase reopens India registrations and plans a 2026 fiat on-ramp to restore full access.
- FIU registration and phased rollout support Coinbase’s regulated return to the Indian market.
- Crypto-to-crypto trading resumes as Coinbase expands local operations and prepares rupee support.
Coinbase has reopened user registrations in India and plans to launch a fiat on-ramp in 2026. The company has restored access after more than two years and now allows users to trade crypto-to-crypto pairs while it prepares for full rupee support. The phased rollout marks a regulated return to the Indian market.
Reopening of Services and Roadmap for Fiat Integration
Coinbase reopened its app for user registrations in India after a pause that began in 2023. The platform now allows Indian users to trade crypto-to-crypto pairs, and this marks the first stage of the company’s return strategy.
John O’Loghlen, the exchange’s APAC director, said at India Blockchain Week that a “new fiat gateway will launch in 2026.” He noted that the future upgrade will allow users to deposit rupees and buy digital assets directly. The exchange stated that this staged approach provides time to work within India’s financial system while preparing for broader functionality.
The company previously exited the market in 2023 after the Unified Payments Interface operator refused to support its transactions. Coinbase confirmed that the off-boarding of users that year was difficult but necessary. “We had millions of customers in India,” O’Loghlen said, and he added that the withdrawal required careful planning to keep operations compliant.
Regulatory Landscape, Local Investments and Market Position
Coinbase returned to the market after registering with the Financial Intelligence Unit in March 2025. According to regulatory guidance, the registration improves oversight of financial activity and enhances anti-fraud monitoring. The exchange began onboarding users in October through an early access program.
India still maintains a 30 percent tax on cryptocurrency gains and enforces a 1 percent deduction on each transaction. O’Loghlen said these rules limit heavy trading activity, and he expressed hope that future changes may encourage long-term holding. The company invested in CoinDCX as part of its plan to grow its presence in the country. The investment pushed CoinDCX’s valuation to $2.45 billion.
Coinbase also expanded its local workforce during the year, hiring across engineering, product, and compliance. Company statements said the goal is to create a trusted platform for Indian users. “We want to be known as that trusted exchange,” O’Loghlen said. India remains a leading market for global crypto adoption, and Coinbase aims to rebuild its position through a structured and regulated return.
