Coinbase in Talks for Return to India once again after leaving the country two years ago because of regulatory issues. The company has started allowing new users to register on the app and has restarted crypto-to-crypto trading for Indian residents.
It has also confirmed that a full fiat on ramp for Indian users will be available in 2026. This will allow people to deposit rupees and buy digital assets directly.
This comeback is an important milestone for the company. Coinbase once had millions of users in India, but it was forced to leave in 2023 when compliance rules became stricter. The new plan shows that Coinbase in Talks for Return is serious about rebuilding its presence in the Indian market with a more stable and compliant approach.
Coinbase Reopens Its App to Indian Users
According to TechCrunch, Coinbase has started its mobile app service again for people in India. New users can now sign up and begin basic trading on the platform. Even though users cannot deposit rupees yet, they can trade one cryptocurrency for another. This is the first step toward bringing back full trading features in the future.
This early return is part of Coinbase’s plan to slowly relaunch its services in India.
Fiat Trading Expected by 2026
During India Blockchain Week, John O’Loghlen, the Asia Pacific Director at Coinbase, shared an important update about the company’s comeback. He said that Coinbase will bring back a full fiat gateway in 2026.
Once this system is live, users in India will finally be able to deposit rupees, buy crypto directly, and withdraw money to their bank accounts without any trouble.
This is a major step for Coinbase because it will make the platform easier and more convenient for everyday users. Many people in India have been waiting for this feature ever since the company tried to enter the market a few years ago.
Coinbase believes that offering smooth rupee transactions will help more people join the crypto space with confidence.
Why Coinbase Failed in 2022 and Exited in 2023
Coinbase tried to launch its services in India in early 2022, but things went wrong very quickly. The main issue started when NPCI, the organisation that runs the UPI payment system, announced that it did not support using UPI for crypto transactions. Because of this, Coinbase had to stop its UPI services almost immediately.
Once UPI was removed, many problems followed:
- New users could not sign up easily
- Trading activity dropped sharply
- Liquidity on the platform became very low
- Regulatory pressure kept increasing
By 2023, the company made a difficult decision. It removed all Indian users from its system and completely shut down access to the platform. O Loghlen later said that this decision was very painful but it was the right choice because Coinbase wanted to follow all rules properly rather than continue with uncertainty.
Regulatory Compliance Now in Place
Coinbase finally made real progress in India after completing its registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) earlier this year. This step gives the exchange regulatory clarity and shows that it is ready to follow India’s tax, reporting, and compliance rules.
After completing this process, Coinbase launched an early-access onboarding program in October to slowly bring Indian users back to the platform. According to sources, Coinbase aims to fully scale operations before the end of 2025, preparing for fiat deposits and withdrawals in 2026.
India’s Tax Rules Still a Challenge
Even though Coinbase is moving forward, India’s current crypto tax structure remains a big problem for active traders. The rules include:
• 30% tax on crypto profits
• 1% TDS on every transaction
• No option to offset losses
O’Loghlen admitted that these rules make trading difficult and discourage many users. He also said Coinbase hopes the government will consider more friendly tax changes so India can stay competitive globally.
Coinbase has already invested a lot into India’s crypto industry. One of its biggest investments is in CoinDCX, one of the top crypto exchanges in the country. This investment helped CoinDCX reach a valuation of 2.45 billion dollars. These investments show that Coinbase is not just returning to India but wants to be deeply involved in the country’s digital asset ecosystem for the long term.
India’s Most Trusted Exchange
O’Loghlen said the company’s main goal is to rebuild trust among Indian users. After previously leaving the market, Coinbase now wants to show that it is committed to safety, transparency, and long-term stability. He said,
“We want to be known as the trusted exchange for India, where your funds are safe and long-term users can invest with confidence.”
Focusing on safety and trust will help Coinbase stand out from both Indian and global competitors.
India Remains a Global Crypto Leader
Even with strict taxes, India continues to be one of the top crypto adopters in the world. A TRM Labs report shows that India has been ranked first in global crypto adoption for three years in a row, staying ahead of the U.S., Brazil, and Vietnam.
This makes India a key market for any major crypto exchange, including Coinbase.
Conclusion
Coinbase’s plan to return to India marks an important moment for the country’s digital asset industry. With registrations open again, crypto to crypto trading active, and full fiat services expected in 2026, the company is preparing for a strong comeback.
Although India’s tax rules continue to challenge traders, Coinbase’s commitment to compliance, long term investments, and local hiring shows that the company wants to build a trusted and lasting presence in the country. If India continues to dominate global crypto adoption, the return of Coinbase could encourage new growth and bring more innovation to the digital finance sector in the years ahead.
