The Layoff of CoinSwitch Customer Support Team
Indian crypto exchange CoinSwitch has recently laid off members of its customer support team, along with some staff from the operations team. The layoff is attributed to uncertain crypto regulation and stringent crypto taxation in the country. The affected employees resigned voluntarily after discussions with their managers. CoinSwitch, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Coinbase Ventures, plans to rehire the impacted employees when volumes grow and new positions become available. The layoffs come amid the struggles faced by crypto businesses in India due to the regulatory environment and high tax burdens, leading to reduced trading volumes for local exchanges. CoinSwitch aims to diversify beyond crypto and build a wealth tech platform.
Key Points:
- CoinSwitch has laid off members of its customer support team and staff from the operations team.
- The layoffs are a result of uncertain crypto regulation and strict crypto taxation in India.
- The affected employees resigned voluntarily after discussing with their managers.
- CoinSwitch plans to rehire the impacted employees when volumes grow and new positions are available.
- Crypto businesses in India are struggling due to the regulatory environment and high tax burdens.
Surviving India’s tough crypto policies
Indian crypto businesses, including CoinSwitch, are grappling with the challenges posed by the country’s uncertain regulatory environment and strict crypto taxation. The trading volumes of local exchanges have significantly decreased due to these factors. The Bharat Web3 Association, which includes prominent Indian exchanges, has urged the government to reduce the tax deducted at source (TDS), as more investors are turning to foreign exchanges due to the unfavorable tax policy.
CoinSwitch’s Expansion Plans
As CoinSwitch looks to expand beyond crypto, the company’s co-founder and CEO, Ashish Singhal, is in discussions with regulators to launch several financial products. These products include mutual funds, fixed deposits, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and bonds. CoinSwitch aims to establish a wealth tech platform and diversify its offerings. Earlier this year, CoinSwitch achieved unicorn status after raising $260 million in a Series C funding round.
Hot Take:
The layoff of CoinSwitch’s customer support team reflects the challenges faced by crypto businesses in India due to restrictive regulations and high tax burdens. The company’s plans to diversify beyond crypto indicate a strategic shift in response to the regulatory environment. CoinSwitch’s expansion into wealth tech products highlights the potential for innovation and growth in the Indian crypto industry.