Major Crypto Exchanges Seek India Entry Despite Regulatory Uncertainty: Report

Major digital assets exchanges are looking to enter India, the second-most populous country globally, despite the government mulling a blanket ban on private cryptocurrencies.

• Industry sources speaking to Reuters said U.S.-based Kraken, Hong Kong-based Bitfinex, and rival KuCoin are actively seeking information about the nature of the market and potential entry points.
• One exchange has reportedly begun due diligence for acquiring an Indian firm, while the other two have yet to decide whether to establish a subsidiary or buy a domestic firm.
• "All of these exchanges are actively hiring for Indian entry," Gaurav Dahake, founder and CEO of Bangalore​-based exchange Bitbns, told CoinDesk.
• LinkedIn data shows the U.S.-based Nasdaq-listed Coinbase exchange has been scouting for candidates for its India outpost, announced in March.
• Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange per trading volumes, acquired the Mumbai-based WazirX exchange in 2019.
• With its tech-savvy young generation, India can be a huge market; and its true potential may come to the fore once regulatory uncertainty subsides.
• There is a bill pending in the Indian parliament which seeks to ban trading, owning or holding any form of cryptocurrency.

Read more: RBI Says Banks Can’t Quote 2018 Circular to Restrict Crypto Transactions