Two years after withdrawing from India amid regulatory friction, Coinbase is mounting a methodical and partnership-driven return—this time with a cleaner slate, deeper government engagement, and a sharpened focus on developer ecosystems and cybersecurity.

The comeback is already visible on multiple fronts: reopened India app registrations, fresh leadership hires, public-sector collaborations, and a re-anchored commitment to India’s on-chain future. Together, they signal that India is once again becoming a priority market in Coinbase’s APAC strategy.

App Registrations Reopen, Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Enabled

Coinbase has quietly—but decisively—reopened registrations for Indian users. The exchange is currently offering crypto-to-crypto trading, with fiat on-ramps planned for 2026, as revealed by APAC director John O’Loghlen during India Blockchain Week (IBW).

The reboot follows Coinbase’s exit from India in September 2023, when the company off-boarded millions of users to reset its compliance posture.

O’Loghlen described the move as “burning the boats” to start fresh with a clean regulatory strategy.

This time, Coinbase appears to be rebuilding from the ground up—one regulatory milestone, partnership, and developer initiative at a time.

Also Read: Did Crypto Scams Decrease in 2025 Compared to Previous Years? A Complete Data-Backed Analysis

New India Marketing Leadership and Renewed Presence at IBW

Coinbase’s India marketing relaunch is being led by a newly onboarded regional head who joined in late 2025. Their first month on the job coincided with Coinbase’s high-visibility sponsorship and presence at India Blockchain Week—a symbolic re-entry into India’s largest Web3 gathering.

The executive, who previously built the brand and marketing playbook for the same event last year, emphasized the full-circle moment:

“Last year I was building IBW’s brand playbook. This year, I’m bringing Coinbase to the party.”

This expansion into local marketing is widely seen as a sign that Coinbase is preparing for an aggressive 2026 rollout.

Government Partnerships Mark a Shift in Coinbase’s India Strategy

The most significant shift in Coinbase’s India re-entry strategy is how proactively it is working with public institutions—a departure from the missteps of its earlier launch.

Karnataka Signs an MoU With Coinbase

A major milestone dropped in early December, when Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for IT/BT, announced a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coinbase.

According to the minister’s statement:

• The collaboration aims to deepen Karnataka’s leadership in on-chain innovation and cybersecurity.

• The government and Coinbase will invest in:

  • Large-scale developer upskilling

  • Startup incubation on Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2

  • Cybersecurity talent training

  • State-level citizen digital safety initiatives

• Targets include:

  • Upskilling 10,000+ developers

  • Supporting new Web3 startups

  • Training 1,000+ cybersecurity professionals

The partnership positions Bengaluru to become India’s “on-chain capital” and a leading cybersecurity hub, aligned with the state’s long-term digital innovation roadmap.

Regulatory Engagement Strengthens Coinbase’s Position

Coinbase has been methodically repairing its relationship with Indian policymakers:

• In March 2025, the company secured a registration with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)—a foundational requirement for operating in the country.

• In August, Coinbase’s leadership met with Karnataka’s IT ministry to explore collaboration around developer tools, blockchain governance, and security.

• Last week, a senior policy adviser represented Coinbase before India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, expressing optimism about future virtual digital asset (VDA) regulation.

For an industry often at odds with policy frameworks, this level of engagement marks a notable strategic shift.

A “Second Attempt” Built on Infrastructure, Compliance, and Ecosystem Growth

Coinbase’s cautious re-entry signals that the company views India not merely as a market—but as a long-term node in its global Web3 strategy.

This time, the pillars of its India strategy appear to be:

• Regulatory compliance first

• Developer ecosystem investment via Base

• Public-sector collaboration at state and national levels

• Localized leadership and community-driven marketing

• Long-term infrastructure (fiat rails planned for 2026)

After a turbulent first stint, Coinbase’s second act in India is designed to be slower, steadier, and much more deeply integrated with the country’s digital economy roadmap.

What This Means for India’s Web3 Ecosystem

Coinbase’s return adds significant weight to India’s accelerating blockchain momentum:

• Developers gain easier access to a global Web3 infrastructure stack.

• Startups gain incubation and early-stage support via Base-powered programs.

• Policymakers gain a well-resourced industry partner for cybersecurity and on-chain innovation.

• India Blockchain Week gains a long-term anchor sponsor with global reach.

Most importantly, India’s Web3 ecosystem gains something it hasn’t had in recent years:
renewed international confidence.

Coinbase is not simply reopening business in India—it is embedding itself within India’s Web3 infrastructure, policy ecosystem, and talent pipeline. If executed well, this could mark one of the most significant comebacks in the global crypto industry—and potentially establish India as a major on-chain innovation hub by 2030.