Coinbase has reopened user registrations in India and plans to launch INR-to-crypto fiat on-ramps in 2026, marking a significant return after a rocky exit more than two years ago. The regulatory approval followed Coinbase's October announcement of investing an undisclosed amount into the Indian exchange ecosystem. This development comes as India maintains its stance of neither encouraging nor discouraging crypto, but focusing on taxation and compliance.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed the government does not encourage cryptocurrencies without sovereign or asset backing, while simultaneously advancing plans for an RBI-backed digital currency similar to US stablecoins. The return of major international exchanges like Coinbase signals growing confidence in India's crypto regulatory environment despite ongoing policy uncertainties.
