Coinbase is preparing to relaunch its operations in India after securing registration with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), signaling a renewed push into one of the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets.

The U.S.-based crypto exchange had previously faced regulatory hurdles in India, leading to a scaling back of its services. However, with FIU registration now in place, Coinbase is positioning itself to operate within the country’s legal framework, potentially restoring full trading services for Indian users.

India’s crypto regulatory landscape remains complex, with authorities maintaining a strict stance on compliance and taxation. The government has implemented a 30% tax on crypto gains and a 1% transaction tax deducted at source (TDS), factors that have contributed to a decline in trading activity within the country.

Despite these challenges, Coinbase’s renewed entry into India reflects the exchange’s long-term commitment to the market. The company has previously highlighted India as a key region for Web3 development, with plans to support local blockchain startups and developers.

The comeback aligns with Coinbase’s broader global expansion strategy as it seeks to navigate regulatory challenges and establish itself as a leading player in international crypto markets. The company’s next steps in India will be closely watched as it works to rebuild its presence in a highly regulated but rapidly growing digital asset economy.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly reconsidering its push to require cryptocurrency firms to register as exchanges, signaling a potential shift in the agency’s regulatory approach to the digital asset industry.

The move comes after years of legal battles and industry pushback against the SEC’s stance on crypto trading platforms. The commission has long argued that many crypto firms operate as unregistered securities exchanges, violating federal laws. However, enforcement efforts have faced resistance from both the industry and the courts, prompting a reassessment of the policy.

Critics within the crypto sector have argued that the SEC’s registration framework is not suited for decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and other blockchain-based businesses. They contend that applying traditional exchange regulations to crypto firms stifles innovation and drives businesses offshore.

If the SEC formally abandons its push for mandatory exchange registration, it could mark a significant regulatory shift, potentially opening the door for new crypto-friendly policies. While the commission has not made a final decision, the reconsideration suggests an evolving stance amid growing pressure for clearer and more practical regulations.

The potential reversal comes as the U.S. government faces increasing calls to provide a balanced regulatory framework that fosters innovation while ensuring investor protection. Any policy changes by the SEC will be closely watched by industry participants, lawmakers, and global regulators looking to align their approaches to the rapidly evolving crypto market.

A senior European Union official has expressed concerns that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for cryptocurrencies could threaten Europe’s monetary sovereignty. The warning comes as Trump’s increasingly pro-crypto rhetoric gains traction among digital asset advocates in the United States.

The EU official cautioned that if the U.S. under a potential Trump administration fully embraces cryptocurrencies, it could weaken the influence of central banks and disrupt Europe’s ability to regulate its own financial system. The concern primarily stems from the potential rise of decentralized digital assets that operate outside traditional monetary frameworks, reducing the effectiveness of EU financial policies.

Trump has previously criticized regulatory crackdowns on cryptocurrencies and has signaled a more favorable stance toward the industry, contrasting with the Biden administration’s stricter regulatory approach. This shift has raised alarms among European policymakers, who fear that an unregulated crypto surge in the U.S. could spill over into global markets, challenging the euro’s stability and the EU’s financial oversight.

European regulators have been working on comprehensive crypto regulations, such as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, aimed at ensuring oversight and stability in digital asset markets. However, the EU official suggested that a policy divergence between the U.S. and Europe could create regulatory gaps, making it harder for European authorities to maintain control over cross-border digital transactions.

As global financial institutions continue to assess the evolving regulatory landscape, Europe remains cautious about the potential risks associated with a more crypto-friendly U.S. policy, especially if led by a Trump administration.