In early August 2025, Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal met with Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge to explore collaboration on blockchain infrastructure development in India. This meeting marks a strategic shift for Coinbase, emphasizing blockchain applications over cryptocurrencies as speculative assets.
Held in Karnataka, India’s leading tech hub and blockchain innovation center, the discussion centered on building a robust onchain ecosystem that could serve as a model for broader adoption across the country. You’re encouraged to see this as Coinbase’s move to embed itself deeper into India’s evolving digital landscape, focusing on practical blockchain deployment rather than just crypto trading.
The conversation primarily highlighted developing and deploying local onchain applications. Coinbase expressed interest in providing advanced developer tools and infrastructure support, aiming to facilitate the creation of blockchain solutions tailored to India’s unique needs. They discussed joint initiatives aimed at capacity building within Karnataka, including state-backed hackathons designed to foster innovation and identify promising startups.
The focus is on blockchain’s potential to enhance transparency in governance, improve civic utilities, and streamline administrative processes. You can imagine how this aligns with Karnataka’s long-standing advocacy for blockchain’s role in transforming public services and governance structures. The integration of AI technology could further support these initiatives by enhancing data-driven decision-making.
Cybersecurity was also a key topic. Both parties recognized that blockchain adoption must be supported by strong security measures. Coinbase proposed cooperation in cybersecurity capacity-building programs to bolster regional defenses against cyber threats. This emphasis on cybersecurity underscores the importance of safeguarding blockchain networks as adoption scales.
They discussed sharing expertise to improve local cybersecurity infrastructure and exploring collaborative efforts to secure blockchain networks and applications. This partnership aims to ensure that blockchain deployment isn’t just innovative but also resilient against cyber vulnerabilities, reinforcing trust and stability in digital systems.
Another vital aspect of the discussions involved education and capacity building. Coinbase plans to support training programs that will upskill local developers in blockchain technologies, making it easier for them to develop and deploy applications quickly.
These initiatives include incubation support for blockchain startups and community engagement through hackathons, fostering an ecosystem where innovation can thrive. The long-term goal is to create a self-sustaining developer community in Karnataka that can lead India’s blockchain revolution.
Coinbase’s renewed focus in India follows its recent registration with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit, signaling its commitment to comply with local regulations while promoting technological innovation.
India’s regulatory landscape has seen significant shifts, especially after the Supreme Court lifted the RBI crypto banking ban in 2020. Coinbase is now poised to expand its offerings, including retail services planned for later in 2025, with Karnataka serving as a strategic testing ground for broader national initiatives.
This partnership signals a pivotal moment where blockchain infrastructure development could reshape India’s digital future, fostering innovation and trust in new financial and civic solutions.
