Coinbase, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, has announced a major step in its global expansion strategy with a strategic investment in CoinDCX, India’s leading Web3 infrastructure and crypto exchange platform. The move marks Coinbase’s renewed entry into the Indian market after facing earlier regulatory challenges and reflects its growing confidence in India’s potential to become a major hub for blockchain innovation.
In its official announcement on X, Coinbase highlighted that India and the Middle East together account for more than 100 million cryptocurrency users—a number expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The exchange said this investment is part of a broader effort to support Web3 adoption and innovation in emerging markets that show strong digital and fintech potential.
Industry experts say the investment will strengthen CoinDCX’s ongoing efforts to build blockchain tools tailored for digital identity, decentralized payments, and scalable financial infrastructure. These tools are expected to serve as the foundation for India’s evolving crypto ecosystem, which continues to attract growing interest despite regulatory uncertainties.
Coinbase’s Renewed Push into India
Coinbase’s return to India is seen as a strategic move to regain ground in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. The company had previously encountered regulatory setbacks in 2022, when it briefly halted operations following concerns raised by India’s central bank regarding payment processing through local networks. Since then, Coinbase has been working to align more closely with India’s compliance and reporting frameworks, including registration with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)—a key step toward operating legally within the market.
Commenting on the investment, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said, “There’s rapid tech adoption in India and the Middle East, and already over 100 million crypto holders. Excited to do more in these markets and help to keep accelerating adoption. Coinbase is going global.”
Armstrong’s remarks underline Coinbase’s belief that India’s youthful, tech-savvy population and fast-growing fintech ecosystem make it an ideal market for Web3 innovation. With one of the world’s largest developer communities, India offers a strong foundation for blockchain-based solutions that could drive financial inclusion and digital transformation across sectors.
CoinDCX Welcomes Long-Term Partnership
Sumit Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of CoinDCX, described the partnership as a reflection of shared values and a common long-term vision. “This isn’t just about capital; it’s about conviction in our long-term vision, our regulatory-first approach, and India and the UAE’s growing role in the global crypto movement,” Gupta said.
He added that CoinDCX aims to position itself not just as a trading platform but as a full-fledged Web3 infrastructure company capable of building products that address real-world challenges in payments, identity verification, and digital asset management. The partnership with Coinbase will give CoinDCX additional expertise, resources, and global visibility.
Once the funding round is completed—subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions—CoinDCX’s valuation will rise to $2.45 billion, continuing from its previous funding round.
Coinbase’s Global Expansion Strategy
The investment in CoinDCX fits within Coinbase’s broader plan to strengthen its global footprint. Over the past year, the company has pursued partnerships with major financial institutions to integrate crypto services into mainstream banking.
In July 2025, Coinbase partnered with JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S., to make digital assets accessible to over 80 million Chase customers. It also joined forces with PNC Bank to enable PNC account holders to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies directly through their banking interface. These collaborations have positioned Coinbase as a bridge between traditional finance and the growing decentralized economy.
Coinbase has also expanded its International Exchange platform, introducing dozens of perpetual futures and derivatives products to attract institutional investors. It continues to enhance its infrastructure by supporting USDC stablecoin integrations, merchant payment gateways, and on-chain financial tools designed to make crypto transactions faster and more efficient.
By combining these global efforts with renewed focus in India, Coinbase is positioning itself as a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem provider rather than just a crypto exchange.
CoinDCX: India’s Leading Crypto Player
Founded in 2018, CoinDCX is now India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, serving over 20 million users nationwide. Beyond trading, the platform has been actively contributing to crypto education, security, and trust-building measures.
In 2024, CoinDCX expanded into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by acquiring BitOasis, signaling its ambition to become a regional powerhouse in digital asset trading. That same year, the company launched the Crypto Investors Protection Fund (CIPF) with an initial corpus of INR 50 crore, aimed at reimbursing users for losses from cyber incidents. The company committed to allocating 2% of its brokerage income annually to sustain the fund—a move that boosted investor confidence at a time when the global crypto industry was dealing with several high-profile security breaches.
In July 2025, CoinDCX faced a cyberattack that led to the theft of $44 million from an internal operational wallet. However, no customer assets were affected since user funds were held securely in cold storage. The company acted quickly by freezing the compromised account, suspending related services, and bringing in leading cybersecurity firms to strengthen its systems.
CoinDCX also introduced a white-hat recovery bounty program, offering ethical hackers up to 25% of recovered funds as a reward. This initiative demonstrated its proactive approach to transparency and security.
According to data from CoinMarketCap, CoinDCX currently holds more than $128 million in assets, with a daily trading volume of about $12.3 million, reinforcing its position as a trusted platform within India’s digital finance sector.
Strengthening Local Collaboration
Coinbase emphasized that its investment reflects confidence in India’s blockchain talent and regulatory progress. The company said it intends to work closely with local regulators, startups, and developers to promote responsible crypto innovation and help build a compliant, transparent digital asset ecosystem.
By partnering with CoinDCX, Coinbase is betting on India’s long-term potential as a global center for blockchain technology and digital finance. If successful, this collaboration could serve as a model for how international crypto companies can responsibly integrate into emerging markets—combining innovation with local expertise and compliance-driven growth.
