From a small town in India to the helm of a Rs 20,000 crore business, Neeraj Khandelwal’s journey is a story of vision, courage, and patriotism. An IIT Bombay graduate, Neeraj always carried a strong desire to serve his country. While many would chase lucrative international offers, he prioritised contributing to India’s growth, even when it meant taking a one-third salary and facing uncertainty in a rapidly evolving industry.
Neeraj Khandelwal's journey to being the co-founder of CoinDCX
After completing his engineering degree, Neeraj moved to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination, hoping to make a direct impact on national development, according to The Founder Thesis Podcast. However, when that plan did not materialise, he redirected his energy toward new avenues where he could make a difference. His curiosity and determination soon led him to the emerging field of cryptocurrency, which he recognised as a key sector for India’s economic future over the next 30-40 years.
Believing that India needed strong domestic crypto infrastructure to compete globally, Neeraj co-founded CoinDCX, which today stands as India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Despite lucrative international opportunities, Neeraj once shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he had rejected an offer of Rs 60 lakh per annum in his early career, choosing instead to earn a fraction of that in India.
In the post, he emphasised that improving the country’s infrastructure, air, water, and technology required skilled minds to stay and contribute, rather than moving abroad. His brief stint as an NRI only strengthened his resolve to return and build something meaningful for his nation.
After Neeraj shared how to left his high-paying job and came back to India for "massive upliftment", Shaadi.com founder, business executive and investor Anupam Mittal also praised his thought on social media.
US crypto giant Coinbase Global backs India's CoinDCX
On Wednesday (October 15), Coinbase Global announced that it has invested in Indian cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX, valuing the company at $2.45 billion or about Rs 20,000 crore post-money. This marks another step in Coinbase’s growing involvement with CoinDCX through its venture capital arm, Coinbase Ventures, which had previously participated in the exchange’s $135 million funding round in April 2022, when CoinDCX was valued at $2.15 billion.
As of July 2025, CoinDCX reported an annualised group revenue of $141 million and $1.2 billion in assets under custody. “We believe India and its neighbours will help shape the future of the global on-chain economy,” said Shan Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Coinbase, adding that the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Neeraj Khandelwal's journey to being the co-founder of CoinDCX
After completing his engineering degree, Neeraj moved to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination, hoping to make a direct impact on national development, according to The Founder Thesis Podcast. However, when that plan did not materialise, he redirected his energy toward new avenues where he could make a difference. His curiosity and determination soon led him to the emerging field of cryptocurrency, which he recognised as a key sector for India’s economic future over the next 30-40 years.
When I was young, I got an offer for Rs 60 lacs per Annum which was huge at that time. I rejected that offer and settled for one third salary in India rather than becoming an NRI.
— Neeraj Khandelwal (@neerajKh_) September 20, 2025
Who is gonna make India better if we shift outside and work for other nations? Country’s Air,… pic.twitter.com/haiwQMAaDc
Believing that India needed strong domestic crypto infrastructure to compete globally, Neeraj co-founded CoinDCX, which today stands as India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Despite lucrative international opportunities, Neeraj once shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he had rejected an offer of Rs 60 lakh per annum in his early career, choosing instead to earn a fraction of that in India.
In the post, he emphasised that improving the country’s infrastructure, air, water, and technology required skilled minds to stay and contribute, rather than moving abroad. His brief stint as an NRI only strengthened his resolve to return and build something meaningful for his nation.
After Neeraj shared how to left his high-paying job and came back to India for "massive upliftment", Shaadi.com founder, business executive and investor Anupam Mittal also praised his thought on social media.
I thought my H1B & Green Card was success. Turns out, giving it up was💪🏼
— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) September 23, 2025
If you can, come back home & build
🇮🇳>🇺🇸>🇮🇳
US crypto giant Coinbase Global backs India's CoinDCX
On Wednesday (October 15), Coinbase Global announced that it has invested in Indian cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX, valuing the company at $2.45 billion or about Rs 20,000 crore post-money. This marks another step in Coinbase’s growing involvement with CoinDCX through its venture capital arm, Coinbase Ventures, which had previously participated in the exchange’s $135 million funding round in April 2022, when CoinDCX was valued at $2.15 billion.
As of July 2025, CoinDCX reported an annualised group revenue of $141 million and $1.2 billion in assets under custody. “We believe India and its neighbours will help shape the future of the global on-chain economy,” said Shan Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Coinbase, adding that the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
You may also like
Afghan Taliban claims 48-hour ceasefire reached with Pakistan at Islamabad's request
TSB closing 11 branches in the UK in 2025 - full list
Who is Sahil Majothi? Indian student 'framed' by Russia into joining war, now in Ukrainian Custody
Telangana: 12 more candidates file nominations for Jubilee Hills bypoll
Maithili Thakur to contest Bihar elections: Folk singer's journey, educational background, and net worth
