WazirX, India’s largest home-grown crypto exchange, is set to relaunch trading on October 24, 2025, after over a year of suspension due to regulatory freezes and a $230 million hack. The platform introduces zero-fee trading to rebuild liquidity and user confidence in the Indian crypto market.
-
Key milestone: WazirX resumes operations after ED investigations and the 2024 hack, marking a potential revival for domestic exchanges.
-
Zero-fee trading model aims to attract users by eliminating costs, boosting participation amid stricter regulations.
-
Community sentiment mixed, with calls for audits and transparency; over 15 million users affected by prior disruptions seek restored access to funds.
Discover WazirX relaunch details: zero fees, compliance upgrades, and path forward for India’s crypto traders. Regain access and trade smarter—explore now for the latest updates.
What is WazirX’s relaunch strategy in 2025?
WazirX relaunch focuses on transparency, enhanced security, and user incentives to revive India’s crypto trading scene. After halting services in 2024 due to regulatory probes and a major breach, the exchange will resume on October 24 with zero-fee trading across all pairs. This approach aims to reignite liquidity while adhering to India’s evolving crypto policies and global standards like MiCA.
How will zero-fee trading impact Indian crypto users?
The zero-fee initiative, announced by WazirX, eliminates trading costs for a limited period to encourage deposits and activity. According to platform statements, this strategy targets rebuilding trust post-hack, where $230 million in assets were compromised, affecting millions. Experts from the Blockchain Association of India note that such models have boosted volumes by up to 40% in similar markets, per historical data from compliant exchanges. However, sustainability depends on revenue from other streams like premium services. Users must verify account compliance before engaging, as withdrawals remain paused until full audits. This move aligns with regulatory demands for better anti-money laundering measures, potentially setting a precedent for other Indian platforms facing similar scrutiny.
Source: X
India’s crypto landscape has evolved significantly since the 2022 tax regime, with trading volumes dropping 90% initially but rebounding to $4.5 billion monthly by mid-2025, as reported by Chainalysis. WazirX’s return could capture a share of this growth, especially as offshore platforms face compliance hurdles in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will WazirX resume trading after the 2024 hack?
WazirX plans to relaunch trading services on October 24, 2025, following over a year of suspension due to the Enforcement Directorate’s freeze on accounts and the $230 million security breach. Users with verified accounts can expect phased access to deposits and trades, prioritizing compliance checks to prevent future risks.
Is zero-fee trading permanent on WazirX?
No, the zero-fee trading on WazirX is introduced as a temporary measure to boost liquidity and user participation during the relaunch phase. It applies to all trading pairs but may transition to standard fees once market activity stabilizes, helping the exchange recover from prior disruptions while aligning with Indian regulatory frameworks.
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory recovery: WazirX’s relaunch signifies overcoming ED investigations and banking freezes, potentially stabilizing India’s domestic crypto sector.
- User incentives: Zero-fee trading lowers entry barriers, but experts emphasize the need for robust security audits to sustain growth.
- Community focus: Addressing trust issues through transparency could drive retail investor return; monitor for proof-of-reserves updates post-launch.
Conclusion
The WazirX relaunch in 2025 represents a pivotal moment for India’s crypto ecosystem, blending zero-fee trading innovations with stricter compliance to foster safer trading environments. As the exchange navigates lingering hack aftermath and ownership clarifications—distinct from any Binance ties—it aims to reclaim market leadership. Investors should stay informed on regulatory shifts, preparing for a more mature, localized crypto future that prioritizes security and accessibility.
A comeback after investigations, freezes, and a $230 million hack
The restart marks the end of a turbulent chapter for the exchange. WazirX halted its normal operations in 2024 after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) froze its bank accounts during an investigation into alleged money laundering and FEMA violations. Around the same period, the platform suffered a $230 million hack, one of India’s largest crypto breaches. This crippled withdrawals and forced management to suspend trading while cooperating with law enforcement. The platform also became embroiled in a public ownership dispute with Binance, which denied controlling WazirX despite an earlier acquisition announcement.
Reboot strategy: zero-fee trading and new compliance framework
According to the exchange, the October 24 relaunch will focus on transparency, user safety, and lower barriers to entry. WazirX said the zero-fee model will stay in place “for a limited time” as it works to revive trading activity and strengthen partnerships with local banks. The exchange is likely testing market appetite under India’s tighter crypto rules and MiCA-style global frameworks. A successful restart could signal growing regulatory acceptance of compliant domestic exchanges.
Community reaction remains mixed
Despite the optimistic tone of the announcement, reaction on X was deeply divided. Many users celebrated the relaunch as a step toward accessing their funds. However, others accused the exchange of failing to address past user losses and labeled the comeback “a rebrand, not a revival.” Several users also demanded audits and proof of reserves before resuming deposits, citing the unresolved steps for the hack. The backlash highlighted the lingering trust deficit between traders and centralized exchanges, especially after a period of banking restrictions and compliance disputes.
What comes next for India’s crypto scene
WazirX’s comeback will test whether India’s retail investors are ready to return to a domestic exchange ecosystem that once led the market but later ceded volume to offshore platforms like Binance and KuCoin. For now, the exchange’s focus is on rebuilding liquidity, restoring confidence, and demonstrating that it can operate safely in a post-regulatory crackdown landscape. Whether the community fully embraces this revival remains the biggest challenge ahead, but early indicators suggest a cautious optimism amid broader market recovery.
As per reports from the Reserve Bank of India and international bodies like the Financial Action Task Force, enhanced KYC protocols will underpin the relaunch, ensuring alignment with global best practices. Industry analysts, including those from Deloitte’s blockchain division, predict that domestic platforms like WazirX could see a 25-30% uptick in user onboarding if transparency measures prove effective. This positions the exchange not just for recovery, but for contributing to India’s projected $10 billion crypto economy by 2026.
