Coinbase Set to Relaunch in India After 2-Year Hiatus

Global crypto exchange Coinbase is planning to return to India’s market almost two years after leaving. The crypto trading services offered by the company have been approved by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and will be offered in the country. The step is taken at a time when digital assets are in growing demand and the regulatory situation is becoming more favorable.

Coinbase Gains FIU Approval for India Relaunch

Completing the regulatory requirement needed to run in the country, Coinbase has formally registered with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The exchange stopped its operations in early 2023 due to regulatory issues, but reprises on a date in 2025.

Coinbase’s Asia Pacific regional managing director John O’Loghlen said India is “a vital growth market for crypto globally” and the company intends on growing “responsibly within the country’s regulatory framework.”

This endorsement will make Coinbase compete with Binance, KuCoin, and CoinDCX, all of which are already well-rooted in India’s cryptocurrency market. Retail services are to be offered by the exchange and then it will expand its product range gradually.

India’s Crypto Market Sees Rising Adoption

Crypto adoption in India rose significantly thanks to retail and institutional interest. There is clarity for regulators, which has forced exchanges to comply with what is in place for anti money laundering (AML) policies under the supervision of the FIU.

Following the hack of over $235 million in the WazirX platform in 2024 demand for security enabled regulated platforms is ever-growing. The entry of such a major exchange as Coinbase is expected to boost the confidence of investors and bring credibility to the sector.

Ark Invest Acquires 64,358 Coinbase Shares

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest added 64,358 shares to its investment funds after the stock (COIN) of Coinbase fell 17.58% on Monday. The ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) also purchased 52,753 shares and the Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) added 11,605 shares to its total holdings.

After the stock fell below $180, pre-market trading on Tuesday showed a 4.43% rebound as investors capitalized on the price drop. Despite a 50% decline over the last three months, Coinbase continues to expand its global presence, including its planned India relaunch.

Coinbase Expands Workforce Amid Market Volatility

Even after the recent market corrections, Coinbase is still focused on global growth. New U.S. job orders are announced by CEO Brian Armstrong as favorable regulatory developments occur under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The return of the company to India’s crypto market is another big step for its global growth. The next few months will prove critical for Coinbase’s entry and competing with the other exchanges in the country.