CBDC
India in striking distance of 8% growth as reforms boost economy: Shaktikanta Das
Das said the BFSI sector has a crucial role to play in India's journey from a lower-middle-income economy to a high-income economy, through its intermediation in allocation of financial resources. He said the sector would be required to support India's next-gen Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), be the frontline of green and transition finance and become the catalyst for democratising financial inclusion to support this journey.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra urges states to ensure quality spending, prudent borrowing
Addressing the 36th conference of state finance secretaries at the Mint Road, Malhotra appealed the states to onboard onto the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) and utilise Programmable Central Bank Digital Currency (P-CBDC) for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).
Shaktikanta Das urges BFSI sector to lead infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing funding
Shaktikanta Das highlighted the essential role of the BFSI sector in financing infrastructure and new manufacturing. He emphasized the need for funding micro, small and medium enterprises as well as agriculture. Das proposed utilizing digital financial channels for efficient credit underwriting and financial inclusion. The segment must adapt to support next-gen Digital Public Infrastructure and sustainable finance.
Credit where credit's due: India's tokenised bonds must now open the door to global capital
India's pilot tokenised bond issuance successfully settled transactions on a distributed ledger. This innovation improved issuance efficiency and removed settlement risks for domestic investors. Tokenisation offers potential for broader foreign capital access to Indian credit markets. Global investors could hold Indian assets alongside other international debt instruments. This upgrade aims to integrate Indian credit into global capital workflows.
Oh, Let’s Look Beyond AAA: A new market-making framework could make lower-rated corporate bonds more investible
India's financial landscape is undergoing significant transformation with innovative tokenisation efforts. A new regulatory framework is being proposed to enhance the liquidity of corporate bonds. Issues of ₹200 crore and above, rated AA or lower, will benefit from market makers' participation. This initiative aims to establish a robust two-way market, thereby improving liquidity, lowering borrowing costs, and broadening investor options.
Making a dollar detour: Why BRICS isn’t breaking up with the dollar
The latest BRICS declaration emphasizes interoperable payment systems and local currency settlement. It explicitly avoids proposing a common BRICS currency or linking central bank digital currencies. This approach acknowledges the impracticality of a unified currency due to diverse economic conditions. BRICS countries aim to reduce dollar dependence through enhanced payment choices and national currency use. The focus remains on practical cooperation rather than a monetary union.
Demat 2.0 explained: Why it matters for bond market investors
In an innovative move, Sebi has rolled out Demat 2.0, a pilot scheme aimed at tokenising corporate bonds. This initiative facilitates rapid settlement and instant fund retrieval for investors. It automates interest and redemption payments through smart contracts, while atomic settlement mitigates risks by coordinating the release of bonds and payments seamlessly. Future developments will broaden this system's reach to secondary markets and individual investors.
5 world market themes for the week ahead
With the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan set to make pivotal interest rate decisions against a backdrop of escalating energy prices, global financial markets brace for change. Meanwhile, BRICS leaders convene in India to explore the integration of central bank digital currencies for seamless payments. In Sweden, the election landscape intensifies, hinting at a surge in far-right political influence.
Demat 2.0 will bring instant bond settlement closer, trading after regulation and market readiness: NSDL MD
Demat 2.0 can allow investors to receive tokenised bonds instantly against payments made through the central bank digital currency (CBDC), significantly reducing the time gap in securities settlement, NSDL Managing Director Vijay Chandok said, while noting that wider trading will depend on regulatory approval and market readiness.
FM Sitharaman pushes RBI to sharpen digital rupee as tokenisation takes off
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged the Reserve Bank of India to advance digital rupee pilots. She highlighted tokenisation's role in enabling near-instantaneous settlement of financial transactions. Sitharaman advocated for a soft-touch regulatory approach to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. She warned of AI's risks while emphasizing responsible adoption for competitiveness. Greater coordination among regulators and industry self-regulation were also called for.
Sitharaman calls AI a ‘double-edged sword’, urges soft-touch regulation and faster digital rupee push
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted artificial intelligence as a double-edged sword for financial systems. She advocated for a soft-touch regulatory framework for emerging technologies and innovation. The minister urged the Reserve Bank of India to accelerate its digital rupee pilots and capabilities. Sitharaman also dismissed pessimism regarding India's demographic dividend, emphasizing youth-led growth.
GFF 2026: FM Sitharaman on India’s tech leap, demographic dividend, AI risks and road to global scale
Global Fintech Fest: Sitharaman said that India was experiencing its demographic dividend in real time, with the country’s young population increasingly translating its potential into economic momentum.
India's BRICS play may have a payment plan with no hard cash
India is unlikely to back a common BRICS currency at the September 12-13 summit, instead favouring links between national payment systems and CBDCs to make cross-border transactions faster and cheaper. The story traces India’s opposition to a new BRICS currency, Trump’s tariff threats, the RBI’s push for CBDC interoperability, and the technical and trade hurdles that could stand in the way.
Sebi launches Demat 2.0 pilot for tokenised corporate bonds
Sebi has launched Demat 2.0, a pilot for tokenised corporate bonds using distributed ledger technology and wholesale e-rupee settlement. REC, L&T and IIFL have raised Rs 1,025 crore, while future phases will enable trading and retail investor access in India.
Sebi completes first phase of Demat 2.0 bond pilot; secondary trading next: Tuhin Kanta Pandey
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has completed the first phase of its Demat 2.0 pilot for corporate bonds and will next bring secondary-market trading into the new technology framework, SEBI Chairman said on Thursday.
Over 500 institutional investors, pension funds to participate in iBRICS Summit on September 12-13
Over 500 investors managing USD 1 trillion will attend the iBRICS Summit 2026. This event will connect sovereign capital with infrastructure and energy projects. The summit occurs alongside the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi next month. It addresses shifting trade dynamics and high dollar-clearing costs for BRICS economies. Participants will also link national fast-payment networks and CBDC interoperability.
REC set to debut tokenised corporate bond sale next week: Bankers
India will launch tokenized corporate bonds next week using blockchain technology. State-run REC aims to raise five billion rupees through these innovative debt instruments. This marks India's first debt issue with instant settlement capabilities on a blockchain. The Reserve Bank of India's digital currency will facilitate these bond transactions. Only investors with active digital wallets can participate in this upcoming sale.
Cash no king, but don't stash it: India wants a digital economy, but cash still holds the power of choice
Despite government promotion of digital transactions like UPI and e-Rupee, cash remains prevalent, especially in rural areas and for large-value transactions. While digital payments offer convenience, they have also led to increased cyber fraud and financial exclusion, particularly for women. The article suggests the government's push for digitalization may stem from a desire for control and programmatic payment disbursement rather than genuine welfare improvement.
RBI to test CBDC by crediting a portion of allowances to its officers’ digital wallets
The Reserve Bank of India will initiate a test by crediting reimbursement allowances to the digital currency wallets of its officers. This move aims to popularize the central bank digital currency, which could potentially ease and make cross-border fund transfers more cost-effective. The CBDC does not yield interest, posing a challenge for wider adoption.
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