India's Central Bank to Start Wholesale CBDC Pilot Nov. 1

Policy

India's central bank will introduce a pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) Nov. 1, and a retail version will start within a month.

  • In a statement, the Reserve Bank of India said the use case for the wholesale digital rupee is the "settlement of secondary market transactions in government securities" since it would reduce transaction costs.
  • Nine prominent banks have been identified for participation in the pilot. These are State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank and HSBC.
  • The RBI said a pilot of the retail version is planned for launch within a month in select locations in closed user groups comprising customers and merchants.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published a 50-page concept note for the introduction of a central bank digital currency earlier this month.

Read More: India's Central Bank Crystalizes CBDC Vision in Concept Note




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