Coinbase’s Strategic Re-entry into India: A Bullish Signal for Crypto Adoption

In a significant development for the global cryptocurrency landscape, Coinbase has officially resumed its operations in India after a two-year regulatory hiatus. This move, effective immediately, reintroduces crypto-to-crypto trading services to one of the world's largest and most dynamic digital asset markets. The successful re-entry is underpinned by Coinbase's recent registration with India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a crucial step that resolves the compliance issues which led to its initial withdrawal in 2022. This registration signifies a major thaw in the previously frosty regulatory relationship and demonstrates Coinbase's commitment to operating within the evolving legal framework of the country. The immediate availability of crypto-to-crypto trading provides Indian users with a secure, regulated platform to access a global marketplace of digital assets. However, the most ambitious and strategically vital aspect of this announcement is the planned introduction of a full fiat on-ramp by 2026. This future capability will enable direct Indian Rupee (INR) deposits, effectively bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem for millions of potential users. The establishment of a local fiat gateway is often the single most important factor in driving mass adoption, as it drastically lowers the barrier to entry for retail and institutional participants alike. From a bullish perspective, Coinbase's calculated return is a powerful vote of confidence in India's long-term crypto potential. It signals that a leading global exchange views the regulatory environment as stabilizing and sees immense untapped growth. India's massive, tech-savvy population, combined with a strong culture of digital payments and remittances, presents a fertile ground for cryptocurrency integration. Coinbase's commitment to a 2026 fiat on-ramp suggests a long-term, infrastructure-building approach rather than a short-term speculative play. This development is not just about one exchange re-entering a market; it's a landmark event that could catalyze further institutional investment, enhance liquidity, and legitimize the asset class for a broader Indian audience. It paves the way for deeper integration of blockchain technology into India's financial fabric, potentially revolutionizing areas like cross-border payments and decentralized finance (DeFi) accessibility.

Coinbase Re-enters India with Crypto-to-Crypto Trading, Plans 2026 Fiat On-Ramp

Coinbase has resumed operations in India after a two-year hiatus, marking its return with immediate crypto-to-crypto trading capabilities. The MOVE follows successful registration with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), resolving prior regulatory hurdles that forced its 2022 exit.

The exchange plans to introduce a full fiat on-ramp by 2026, enabling direct INR deposits—a strategic commitment to the market. 'We had millions of customers in India historically,' said APAC director John O’Loghlen, acknowledging the prior off-boarding as necessary for a 'clean slate.'

Coinbase’s initial 2022 launch faltered when local payment processors rejected its UPI integration. The relaunch avoids repeating this misstep, opting for a phased approach starting with crypto swaps.

Coinbase Reopens India Operations After Two-Year Hiatus

Coinbase has resumed user registrations in India, marking its return after a 2023 shutdown. The exchange now offers crypto-to-crypto trading, with fiat on-ramps for rupee conversions slated for 2026.

The relaunch follows regulatory compliance efforts, including registration with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit earlier this year. Coinbase had initially entered the market in 2022 but retreated abruptly due to payment system conflicts.

Local investments signal commitment: the Nasdaq-listed firm increased its stake in Indian exchange CoinDCX and maintains a 500-person workforce in the country.

BlackRock Files for Staked Ethereum ETF in Latest Crypto Push

BlackRock has submitted a prospectus to the SEC for its iShares Staked ethereum ETF (ETHB), marking its fourth cryptocurrency-related ETF filing. The fund will hold ether in cold storage through Coinbase as Prime Execution Agent, offering institutional investors regulated exposure to staking yields without technical complexity.

The move follows BlackRock's November registration of the Staked Ethereum Trust in Delaware and signals growing institutional demand for on-chain yield products. A successful launch could reshape Ethereum's market structure by bridging traditional finance with decentralized staking rewards.

This filing arrives as the SEC faces mounting pressure to clarify rules for crypto ETFs and tokenization. BlackRock's expanding crypto ETF lineup reflects accelerating institutional adoption, with the asset manager recently increasing digital asset exposure across its product suite.