Coinbase plans to return to Indian cryptocurrency arena
Coinbase re-enters India’s crypto market after securing FIU registration.
Coinbase is set to re-enter India’s crypto market two years after discontinuing operations, following its recent registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
The U.S.-based exchange now gains regulatory approval to offer crypto trading services in the country, as demand for digital assets surges and local compliance requirements improve, reports Reuters.
“India represents one of the most exciting market opportunities in the world today, and we’re proud to deepen our investment here in full compliance with local regulations,” said John O’Loghlen, Coinbase’s regional managing director for Asia Pacific, in an interview with Reuters. The strategic move is expected to position Coinbase to compete with established players like Binance, KuCoin, and CoinDCX, while bolstering investor confidence in a market that has gained momentum following security concerns raised by last year’s WazirX hack.
Institutional Confidence Bolsters Coinbase Shares
Amid the renewed focus on re-entering the Indian market, institutional investors are also showing strong support for Coinbase. Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest recently acquired 64,358 COIN shares—52,753 via its ARK Innovation ETF and an additional 11,605 through the Ark Fintech Innovation ETF—after the stock fell below $180.
This significant accumulation spurred a 4.43% rebound in pre-market trading, even though Coinbase’s stock has dropped over 30% year-to-date and experienced a 50% decline in the last three months. The heavy institutional buying reflects a belief that current market conditions present a buying opportunity, positioning Coinbase as a resilient player in the volatile crypto landscape.
Expanding Workforce and Global Market Footprint
In addition to its strategic market reentry and institutional support, Coinbase is set to further expand its operations domestically. CEO Brian Armstrong announced plans to hire 1,000 new employees in the United States in 2025, citing favorable regulatory developments under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The expansion comes on the heels of the recent White House Crypto Summit, where Trump’s pro-crypto initiatives signaled a more welcoming regulatory environment. With this dual focus on growth and innovation, Coinbase aims to strengthen its global market footprint, diversify its service offerings, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in both established and new markets.
Recently we wrote, that in an effort to meet the evolving needs of cryptocurrency traders, Coinbase is set to launch 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures trading for U.S.-based users in the coming weeks.
