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Pankaj Gupta joins Coinbase from Google Pay
NEW DELHI: In an attempt to build a strong team from scratch, American cryptocurrency exchange company Coinbase has appointed Pankaj Gupta as its vice president – engineering and site lead for India. Before joining Coinbase, Gupta was leading Google Pay Engineering in APAC.
To expand its operations in India, Coinbase is all set to hire hundreds of employees across various roles in the next one or two years.
"For the next phase of my life after Google, I am thrilled to share that I will be joining Coinbase as VP of engineering and site lead for India. I’ll be responsible for leading and building the company’s technology hub in India from scratch. I will be hiring across India," wrote Gupta on his blog.
He added that India has world-class tech expertise and some of the brightest minds in the industry. He also expressed his aim to tap and develop local talent in India.
"The plan is to hire hundreds of employees across all levels in engineering, product management, UX design, research, and program management within the next one to two years to build out a full tech hub in India. Together, we’ll work on some of the most interesting challenges spanning the full modern tech stack — including deep tech areas like blockchains, data engineering, infrastructure, machine learning, and more," he added.
On 25 March, Coinbase had said that the company is planning to open a physical office in Hyderabad. The decision to expand its operations in India comes at a time when the central government is mulling a ban on cryptocurrency.
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TIME100 2026 list names Sundar Pichai, Vikas Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor among global icons
Indian leaders across tech, cinema and cuisine feature on TIME’s list
MUMBAI: TIME has unveiled its 2026 TIME100 list, spotlighting some of the world’s most influential figures, with a strong Indian presence cutting across technology, entertainment and culinary arts.
Among those featured are Sundar Pichai, Vikas Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor and Neal Mohan, alongside public figures such as Zohran Mamdani.
The profile of Pichai highlights his role in taking artificial intelligence to the masses, with Andrew Ng noting that few leaders have expanded access to AI at such scale. Since becoming CEO in 2015, Pichai has steered Google towards a more agile, innovation-led approach, rolling out products like AI Studio and Gemini that are now used by billions globally.
Chef Vikas Khanna is described as a cultural bridge-builder, with Eric Ripert praising his ability to connect people through food while championing Indian traditions on a global stage. His New York restaurant, Bungalow, is positioned not just as a dining space but as a storytelling platform rooted in heritage and memory.
In the entertainment space, Ranbir Kapoor earns recognition for reshaping cinematic storytelling with restraint and emotional depth. Writing his profile, Ayushmann Khurrana notes that Kapoor’s performances quietly redefine audience sensibilities, making him a cultural voice for a changing India.
The annual TIME100 list brings together leaders, innovators and changemakers across sectors, from politics and business to science and the arts. This year’s edition also features global figures such as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, alongside creators, athletes and entrepreneurs shaping the future.
With influence increasingly spanning industries and geographies, the 2026 list reflects a world where impact is not just about scale, but about shaping conversations and culture in meaningful ways.
