To our Indian Ice Open Network community,
Over the past days, many of you have reached out about the ICE → ION migration and the challenges faced by users who hold ICE on SunCrypto and CoinDCX — two Indian exchanges impacted by withdrawal limitations and custodial structures. I want to speak to you directly, explain exactly what is happening, and share the steps we’ve taken — and continue to take — to make sure you are supported.
First of all, thank you.
Your messages, comments, and community discussions brought this issue to our attention early, and your feedback helped us work toward solutions where they were possible. India is one of the strongest and most passionate communities in the ION ecosystem, and your voice matters deeply to us — and to me personally.
How the Migration Works Globally
As announced previously, the ICE → ION migration is happening on-chain and exclusively through Online+, our self-custodial environment built on the ION Framework.
This approach ensures transparency, security, and full proof of token movement — something that is not necessarily possible through centralized custodial systems.
For users who already hold ICE in self-custody or in their Online+ wallet, the migration is simple: transfer ICE if needed, log in to Online+, swap, and receive ION 1:1. Easy.
However, this model creates specific challenges for users whose ICE is stored on exchanges that do not allow direct withdrawals or do not provide individual on-chain wallets.
These challenges, I will also add, are not dissimilar to the core issues of traditional finance and centralized systems, which Web3 seeks to resolve.
What We Achieved With SunCrypto
After constructive discussions with the SunCrypto team, we reached an agreement that ensures a smooth experience for all ICE holders on the exchange.
Here is what will happen for SunCrypto users:
- You don’t need to take any action.
- SunCrypto will handle the ICE → ION conversion automatically at a 1:1 ratio.
- Once the migration is complete and confirmed, ION will be listed on SunCrypto for trading.
This allows SunCrypto users to participate in the migration without needing to withdraw ICE to Online+ or any other platform, or to cash out their ICE holdings.
We’re grateful to the SunCrypto team for working closely with us and for their willingness to support their users through this transition.
For more information, read SunCrypto’s article here.
Why CoinDCX Cannot Support Migration the Same Way
We also held discussions with CoinDCX to try to find a solution. However, CoinDCX’s internal custody architecture makes a direct migration impossible:
- CoinDCX does not provide individual wallets for users.
- User balances are held in a pooled manner without per-user on-chain addresses.
- Because of this, CoinDCX cannot send user ICE to Online+, nor perform an internal 1:1 conversion similar to SunCrypto.
This is a technical and structural limitation — not a matter of willingness.
If you hold ICE on CoinDCX, there is currently only one path offered by the exchange: to convert your ICE to INR, withdraw, and purchase ION coins on Online+ after the ION → ICE bridge activates on December 17, or from any other exchange accessible to you that lists ION.
I know this is frustrating for many of you, and I genuinely understand why. I’ve heard your concerns directly, and we pushed every avenue available to us. Unfortunately, some aspects of centralized exchange infrastructure are simply outside our control — no matter how much we want to fix them for you.
Why Self-Custody Matters & How Online+ Helps Prevent Situations Like This
This situation highlights something fundamental to Web3:
If your assets are not in your own wallet, you’re limited by the policies of the custodians who hold them.
This is precisely why Online+ includes an integrated self-custodial wallet — a wallet you control, where every transaction and migration happens transparently and directly on-chain.
When you hold assets in your own Online+ wallet:
- You’re not dependent on an exchange’s withdrawal policies.
- You’re not constrained by custodial architecture.
- Your tokens remain fully under your control — the way blockchain was designed to work.
As we move toward the next stage of the ION ecosystem, self-custody will play an increasingly important role in ensuring user freedom, ownership, and sovereignty.
Patrząc w przyszłość
We will continue to stand with our Indian community throughout this transition.
We are here, we are listening, and we remain in active dialogue with you to ensure you feel guided and supported — even in situations where external constraints limit what can be done.
My commitment to you is simple: we will communicate transparently, act in good faith, and work directly with partners to support our users wherever possible.
Thank you for your passion, your trust, and your belief in what we are building together with ION.
India is — and will remain — a core part of this ecosystem.
Alexandru Iulian Florea
Founder & CEO, Ice Open Network (ION)