Coinbase has officially restarted user registrations in India after more than two years, marking a major step in its efforts to re-establish operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets.
The move signals a renewed push by the US-based exchange to regain relevance in India after regulatory roadblocks forced a pause in onboarding new customers in 2022.
Onboarding and Trading Capabilities
According to John O’Loghlen, Coinbase’s Director for Asia-Pacific, the company has reopened sign-ups for Indian users and is now enabling crypto-to-crypto trading on its platform. This means Indian customers can once again create accounts and begin trading digital assets, though fiat-related services remain unavailable for now.
O’Loghlen shared the update during his appearance at the India Blockchain Week conference, highlighting the exchange’s revived focus on Indian market expansion.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
Coinbase’s re-entry comes at a time when India’s regulatory environment for digital assets remains uncertain but increasingly active. The Indian government has tightened compliance requirements over the past two years, including tax rules and exchange scrutiny, prompting several global players to pull back or reconsider their India strategy.
By reopening registrations, Coinbase appears confident that it can navigate the evolving policy landscape while rebuilding trust among local users.
Future Fiat On-Ramp Plans
In a further boost to its India plans, O’Loghlen revealed that Coinbase is preparing to roll out a fiat on-ramp in 2026. This feature would allow users to deposit Indian rupees directly into the platform, enabling seamless buying and selling of digital assets.
The exchange previously attempted a similar integration through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) support in 2022, but the service was suspended shortly after launch due to compliance complications.
Strategic Importance of the Indian Market
The announcement marks Coinbase’s most significant commitment to India since halting operations. Industry observers view the renewed push as a sign of the exchange’s long-term ambitions in the region, especially as India continues to play an influential role in global crypto adoption.
With the reopening of user registrations and plans for a full fiat gateway, Coinbase is positioning itself for a deeper comeback in the Indian crypto landscape.