Coinbase returns to India after a two-year pause, rupee deposits set for 2026
The relaunch could simplify how Indian users buy and manage digital assets once direct rupee funding becomes available.
Buying crypto directly in rupees hasn’t been straightforward in India for a while, but Coinbase is preparing to restore that option. After more than two years without offering consumer trading in the country, the U.S. exchange has reopened its app for Indian users.
For now, only crypto-to-crypto trading is available. A rupee deposit feature is planned for 2026, which would reintroduce a direct way to purchase digital assets locally.
Also, Coinbase says it has completed registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND), a required step after India brought crypto activities under anti-money-laundering rules. This clears the path for a compliant return. The company reopened an early-access programme in October and has now moved to public registration. Crypto-to-crypto trades are active today; fiat deposits arrive in 2026.
David Adubiina
This return didn’t come out of nowhere. Coinbase first launched in India in 2022 and tried to use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for instant crypto purchases. The UPI operator ultimately didn't support the move, forcing Coinbase to suspend services days after launch. By 2023, the company had shut down its Indian exchange altogether.
Coinbase continues to invest in the local ecosystem. Coinbase Ventures has backed several Indian startups and recently increased its support for local exchange CoinDCX. The company also plans to expand its India team, which already includes more than 500 employees across global and local roles.
Why Coinbase's return to India matters right now
Coinbase’s return adds another regulated global exchange for Indian users, especially once rupee deposits go live in 2026. For users who prefer large international platforms, compliance with local rules may make Coinbase a viable option again.
At the same time, high taxes and the 1% transaction deduction may still push some traders toward local exchanges or limit activity. But Coinbase’s re-entry could make buying and managing digital assets simpler than it has been in years.
David Adubiina
