Coinbase Plots Full Comeback in India, Fiat Support Expected in 2026

Core Insights - Coinbase has resumed user onboarding in India after a two-year hiatus, indicating a renewed commitment to the Indian market despite previous regulatory challenges [1][2][3] - The company aims to introduce a fiat on-ramp by 2026, allowing users to purchase cryptocurrency directly with local currency [4] - Coinbase has made strategic investments in the Indian crypto ecosystem, including a partnership with CoinDCX and a memorandum of understanding with Karnataka's state government [6] Company Actions - Coinbase initially launched in India in April 2022 but faced regulatory issues that led to the suspension of services by September 2023 [2][3] - The company has been actively engaging with Indian regulators to align with local compliance requirements since early 2023 [3] - Coinbase's APAC director emphasized the importance of starting fresh in the Indian market after off-boarding existing customers [5] Market Context - Other global exchanges, such as Bybit and Binance, have also returned to the Indian market after meeting local regulatory requirements and paying fines [7] - The Indian market continues to show rapid growth in digital asset adoption, despite heavy taxes and regulatory friction [1]