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Coinbase Targets India’s Tech Core in New Karnataka Push
TLDR:
- Coinbase met Karnataka’s IT minister to explore blockchain collaboration and digital development.
- The firm is promoting its developer tools to help scale India’s on-chain infrastructure efforts.
- Talks included cybersecurity and talent programs like hackathons and blockchain training.
- Strategy marks Coinbase’s shift from exchange services to ecosystem building in India.
Coinbase is eyeing India again. This time, it’s not with an exchange. It’s about tools, talent, and government partnerships.
The U.S.-based crypto company met with Karnataka’s IT minister to explore how its developer platform could power India’s blockchain goals. Cybersecurity, training, and infrastructure were also on the table.
This move suggests Coinbase may be planning a deeper comeback into India’s evolving crypto scene.
Coinbase’s Strategic Visit to Karnataka
Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, led the company’s visit to Bengaluru, the tech capital of India. He met with Priyank Kharge, the IT Minister of Karnataka. Their focus was clear: collaboration on blockchain development and digital innovation.
Kharge shared that the discussions centered on simplifying on-chain development for Indian developers. They also looked into joint cybersecurity efforts and how Coinbase’s experience could support India’s growing digital public infrastructure.
Thank you Minister @PriyankKharge and team + I am excited to explore how @Coinbase can further support Karnataka’s tech leadership through developer tools, cybersecurity collaboration, and capacity-building. The future is onchain—and it’s being built here.
— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) August 6, 2025
This meeting wasn’t just about tech. It was about finding a legal and strategic path back into India after Coinbase halted operations due to regulatory pressure in 2022.
Coinbase is now betting on its developer platform as a gateway to re-enter the Indian market. The platform helps developers build blockchain applications more easily. That’s a big deal in a country looking to scale public infrastructure using Web3.
Karnataka, home to major Indian tech hubs, has been open to blockchain for years. The state previously hosted government-backed Bitcoin seminars and workshops. This fresh dialogue with Coinbase signals continued interest in practical blockchain use cases beyond trading.
Grewal’s remarks hinted at a larger goal: helping India lead on-chain innovation, not just regulate it.
Focus on Cybersecurity and Talent Building
Another major part of the meeting focused on cybersecurity collaboration. With increasing blockchain adoption, security risks are rising too. The two parties discussed ways to strengthen safeguards and exchange technical expertise.
Coinbase x India:
Key Takeaways from the Legal Team’s Visit.Meeting Participants:
– #Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal met with Karnataka’s IT Minister Priyank Kharge.Purpose of Visit:
– To explore collaboration on #blockchain development, cybersecurity, and… pic.twitter.com/8nX1Vfvkhg— XChangeOn (@XChangeon) August 6, 2025
They also talked about talent development. The idea of co-hosting hackathons and running capacity-building programs could help train a new wave of blockchain developers in India. Coinbase, which has invested heavily in developer education globally, may use this as a soft power tool to stay relevant in India.
This would align well with India’s digital governance goals, especially as the government looks for blockchain solutions in areas like identity, data storage, and automation.
Coinbase’s re-engagement comes as India’s crypto policy enters a grey but hopeful phase. The Reserve Bank of India remains cautious on crypto assets, but blockchain tech has found allies in certain states. Karnataka is one of them.
Although Coinbase suspended its Indian exchange operations after facing regulatory blocks in 2022, this new strategy avoids direct financial services. By focusing on infrastructure and education, Coinbase may be positioning itself as a builder rather than a disruptor.
There’s no clear roadmap yet. But this meeting could mark the beginning of Coinbase’s next chapter in India, one that’s more behind the scenes but potentially longer lasting.
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