NSDL rolls out tokenised bonds and market APIs in H1 FY27

The National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) has introduced DEMAT 2.0, a distributed ledger technology platform designed to facilitate near real-time settlement of corporate bonds using the Reserve Bank of India's wholesale CBDC infrastructure. This initiative is part of a broader H1 FY27 expansion that includes new API connectivity for online bond platform providers and an integration with the National Stock Exchange for electronic gold receipts. These developments represent a significant push toward modernizing India's financial market infrastructure by digitizing bond workflows and streamlining asset processing. While the platform designs are established, NSDL has not yet disclosed specific transaction volumes, client adoption rates, or settlement data for these new services. The move complements NSDL's existing digital ecosystem, which includes previous blockchain-based bond monitoring and commercial paper issuance platforms. By integrating DLT into its core depository services, NSDL aims to enhance the efficiency of debt market transactions alongside its traditional equity-heavy custody operations. The expansion coincides with a period of growth for the depository, which reported 27.9 lakh net beneficiary-owner account additions during the same period.