Coinbase Global announced on Wednesday that it has invested in India’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, CoinDCX. The deal values CoinDCX at $2.45 billion post‑money, pending regulatory approval. The investment marks a major milestone in Coinbase’s regional strategy to expand across India and the Middle East, areas that together account for over 100 million crypto owners.
This financing represents a further step in the partnership between Coinbase and CoinDCX, which has been in place through Coinbase Ventures’ venture capital arm. The firm regards the decision as a clear indicator of its strong commitment to the emerging markets that will be next in line for global crypto adoption.
Coinbase stated that the partnership aims to promote regulatory‑first innovation, transparency, and crypto education in regions where digital finance is rapidly evolving. “This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions,” said Shan Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Coinbase. He added, “We believe India and its neighbors will help shape the future of the global on‑chain economy.”
Shared Vision for Regulatory‑First Growth
CoinDCX CEO Sumit Gupta called the partnership a reflection of shared values. “This deal demonstrates conviction in our long‑term vision and alignment in regulatory and compliance ethos,” Gupta said. He added that CoinDCX will use the collaboration to expand its presence in India and the UAE, launch new Web3 products, and strengthen its compliance and security frameworks.
Coinbase’s financing is a clear signal of its continued support for CoinDCX, as it was one of the early investors in the exchange’s $135 million Series D round in April 2022, which valued the company at $2.15 billion. This latest move demonstrates the strong collaboration, and the two firms are now poised to expand in areas where compliance and regulation are the primary factors.
From being a startup to a globally recognized company, CoinDCX has come a long way. By the end of July 2025, the company had generated $141 million in annual revenues across the group and had $1.2 billion worth of assets under custody, in addition to a customer base of more than 20.4 million. The company processes approximately ₹13.7 lakh crore ($165 billion) in transaction volume annually across its product offerings.
The transaction signifies that leading global exchanges are now seeking local partners instead of directly entering the market. Will this new approach become the preferred method for future market expansion?
Coinbase Re‑Enters Indian Market Amid Regulatory Shifts
Coinbase’s re‑engagement in India has been marked by its registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at the start of the year, which signals its official return after a halt in 2022. Moreover, the American company owns a stake in CoinSwitch, which is also one of the largest crypto exchanges in India.
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The Indian government’s stringent taxation policies are still hindering the country’s digital asset market. These include a uniform 30 % tax on the profits from digital assets and a 1 % tax on every transaction. Additionally, the government prohibits the operation of offshore exchanges that are not registered with the FIU. Recently, 25 foreign platforms, including BingX, LBank, and CoinW, have been inspected for not adhering to anti‑money‑laundering regulations.
In the meantime, CoinDCX expanded its regional presence by acquiring BitOasis, a Dubai‑based company, thereby increasing access to the Gulf market. This aligns with Coinbase’s expansion goals and positions both parties to benefit from the forthcoming clear regulatory environments in Asia and the Middle East.
For Coinbase, this investment is not only about making money. It is a way of connecting to the deep involvement in the local crypto ecosystem — from on‑chain progress and custody solutions to regulatory partnerships — thus preparing for the emergence of newborn institutional and retail investors in one of the world’s most vibrant markets.