#India

73 articles tagged #India — curated RWA tokenization coverage.

#CBDC #TokenizedBonds #Tokenization #SEBI #CorporateBonds #Demat2.0 #Blockchain #RBI #DLT #REC

SEBI launches Demat 2.0 to bring tokenised corporate bonds to investors | Demat 2.0 phase focuses on bond issuances | Inshorts

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially launched 'Demat 2.0', a strategic initiative designed to modernize the Indian debt market by introducing tokenized corporate bonds. This phase specifically targets the streamlining of bond issuances, aiming to enhance transparency, reduce settlement times, and increase accessibility for retail and institutional investors. By leveraging distributed ledger technology, SEBI intends to eliminate traditional inefficiencies associated with paper-based or legacy electronic bond management systems. This move represents a significant regulatory endorsement of blockchain-based securities in one of the world's largest emerging markets. The integration of tokenization into the national dematerialization framework signals a shift toward programmable finance for corporate debt instruments. As India moves to digitize its capital markets, this framework provides a scalable foundation for future asset classes to be issued on-chain. The initiative is expected to lower entry barriers for investors while providing issuers with a more efficient mechanism for capital raising.

#Tokenization #CorporateBonds #India

inshorts.comAdded: Sep 14, 20268.0

Infrastructure

Larsen & Toubro accepts INR 5 billion bids for tokenised bonds

Indian engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has successfully raised INR 5 billion through the issuance of tokenized corporate bonds. This transaction marks a significant milestone for the Indian debt capital markets by leveraging blockchain technology to streamline the issuance and settlement process. By utilizing a digital ledger, L&T aims to enhance transparency, reduce administrative overhead, and shorten the settlement cycle compared to traditional bond issuance methods. The move signals growing institutional confidence in the efficiency of distributed ledger technology for large-scale corporate financing in emerging markets. This development is particularly noteworthy as it demonstrates the practical application of tokenization by a major infrastructure firm to optimize capital raising. As more Indian corporations explore blockchain-based debt instruments, the broader RWA market gains further validation for the scalability of tokenized securities. The successful execution of this INR 5 billion issuance serves as a blueprint for future digital asset adoption within the Indian financial ecosystem.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #India

propnewstime.comAdded: Sep 14, 20267.5

Infrastructure

India launches bond tokenisation pilot

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have officially launched a bond tokenisation pilot program titled Demat 2.0. This initiative aims to leverage distributed ledger technology to achieve near-instant settlement and mitigate systemic settlement risks within the Indian financial markets. The pilot involves key infrastructure participants including the Central Depository Services, National Securities Depositories, and major financial institutions such as HDFC and ICICI. By integrating security and settlement processes, the project seeks to automate complex asset servicing tasks that currently rely on legacy systems. This move represents a significant evolution from the original Demat 1.0 framework, which digitized paper-based shareholdings starting in 1996. SEBI chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey indicated that the scope of this tokenization effort is intended to expand beyond bonds to include equities, gold, and mutual funds. The successful implementation of this pilot could serve as a blueprint for other emerging markets looking to modernize their national financial infrastructure through blockchain integration.

#RBI #India #SEBI

fundsglobalasia.comAdded: Sep 14, 20268.5

Infrastructure

REC Successfully Issued India’s First Pilot Issue on Tokenized Corporate Bonds

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, has successfully executed India's first pilot issuance of tokenized corporate bonds. This milestone marks a significant shift in the Indian financial landscape by leveraging blockchain technology to streamline debt issuance and settlement processes. By tokenizing these corporate bonds, REC aims to enhance transparency, reduce settlement cycles, and improve overall operational efficiency within the domestic capital markets. The pilot serves as a proof-of-concept for the broader adoption of distributed ledger technology in the Indian public sector. This development is critical for the RWA market as it demonstrates institutional appetite for digital securities in emerging economies. The successful issuance signals a potential regulatory shift toward modernizing traditional debt instruments through tokenization. As a major state-owned entity, REC's involvement provides a credible blueprint for other Indian PSUs to explore blockchain-based financing solutions.

#Blockchain #Tokenization #CorporateBonds

indianmandarins.comAdded: Sep 14, 20267.5

Infrastructure

What does SEBI’s tokenised bonds mean for investors

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched a pilot program titled Demat 2.0 to modernize the settlement and ownership recording of corporate bonds. By utilizing a private digital network, the initiative represents bond ownership as digital tokens rather than traditional database entries, aiming to streamline administrative processes. A critical component of this pilot is the integration of the Reserve Bank of India’s digital rupee (e₹) to facilitate atomic settlement, ensuring that bond transfers and payments occur simultaneously. This mechanism significantly reduces counterparty risk by eliminating the gap between delivery and payment. While the underlying investment characteristics such as credit ratings and maturity remain unchanged, the system enables automated corporate actions like coupon payments and redemptions. Currently, the pilot excludes retail investors, focusing instead on institutional testing before expanding to secondary market trading. This development marks a significant shift toward blockchain-based infrastructure in the Indian financial sector, prioritizing operational efficiency and reduced manual intervention.

#CorporateBonds #CBDC #India

newindianexpress.comAdded: Sep 14, 20267.5

Infrastructure

South Korea Plans Tokenized Securities With XRP Ledger

India’s National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) has officially launched Demat 2.0, a blockchain-based infrastructure platform designed to modernize the country's securities market. This initiative aims to streamline the issuance, settlement, and management of tokenized securities by leveraging distributed ledger technology to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. By transitioning to a blockchain-native framework, NSDL seeks to reduce settlement times and lower the administrative overhead associated with traditional dematerialized securities. The platform represents a significant shift in how institutional-grade financial assets are handled within the Indian market, aligning with global trends toward digital asset integration. This development is critical for the RWA sector as it demonstrates a major national depository adopting blockchain to scale tokenized financial products. The move provides a robust regulatory-compliant foundation for future institutional participation in the digital securities ecosystem. Ultimately, Demat 2.0 serves as a blueprint for how national-level infrastructure can bridge the gap between legacy financial systems and decentralized ledger technology.

#TokenizedSecurities #Infrastructure #India

cointrust.comAdded: Sep 14, 20268.5

Infrastructure

Inside Global Fintech Fest 2026: Bharat Rolled Out Tokenised Bonds, AI Agents and a New “Know Your Agent” Debate

At the Global Fintech Fest 2026, India showcased significant advancements in financial infrastructure, specifically highlighting the integration of tokenized bonds into the national digital ecosystem. The event emphasized the shift toward blockchain-based debt instruments, aiming to enhance liquidity and transparency in the Indian bond market. Alongside these developments, the discourse expanded to include the deployment of autonomous AI agents capable of executing financial transactions. This convergence of RWA tokenization and artificial intelligence necessitates new regulatory frameworks, leading to the introduction of a 'Know Your Agent' (KYA) compliance standard. By digitizing sovereign and corporate debt, India seeks to modernize its capital markets and reduce settlement friction for domestic and international investors. These initiatives reflect a broader strategic push to position Bharat as a global leader in fintech innovation and digital asset adoption. The integration of these technologies signals a transformative phase for the Indian financial sector, balancing technological agility with robust security protocols.

#TokenizedBonds #DigitalAssets #Fintech

hindupost.inAdded: Sep 13, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Bitcoin ETF Outflows Meet India’s $620 Billion Corporate Bond Tokenization Experiment

Financial markets are currently navigating a dual narrative involving capital outflows from Bitcoin ETFs and the integration of blockchain into traditional debt markets. Bitcoin ETFs recently recorded approximately $282 million in net outflows, reflecting shifting investor risk appetite and macroeconomic uncertainty. Simultaneously, India has launched a pilot program to tokenize its $620 billion corporate bond market, signaling a major shift toward blockchain-based financial infrastructure. This initiative aims to modernize the issuance, trading, and settlement of fixed-income securities by leveraging programmable smart contracts. By moving beyond cryptocurrency speculation, the experiment highlights the potential for blockchain to enhance transparency, collateral management, and settlement efficiency in regulated markets. This development underscores a broader trend where blockchain technology is increasingly viewed as a foundational layer for global capital markets rather than a standalone asset class. The divergence between crypto-asset volatility and institutional infrastructure adoption suggests that the long-term value of blockchain lies in its ability to streamline traditional financial processes.

#Tokenization #BlockchainInfrastructure #CorporateBonds

tekedia.comAdded: Sep 12, 20267.5

Non-U.S. Govt. Debt

India launches a new experiment for tokenized bonds using digital rupee

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated a pilot program to explore the use of tokenized government bonds settled via the central bank digital currency (CBDC), known as the digital rupee. This experiment aims to enhance the efficiency of the secondary market for government securities by leveraging blockchain technology to streamline settlement processes. By integrating the digital rupee with bond tokenization, the RBI seeks to reduce transaction costs and minimize settlement risks associated with traditional financial infrastructure. This move represents a significant step in India's broader strategy to modernize its financial markets through distributed ledger technology. The pilot involves major financial institutions and is designed to test the scalability and security of digital asset transactions in a controlled environment. Successful implementation could pave the way for broader adoption of tokenized sovereign debt, positioning India as a key player in the global RWA landscape. The initiative underscores the growing trend of central banks exploring blockchain-based solutions to improve liquidity and transparency in government debt markets.

#TokenizedBonds #CBDC #RBI

arabictrader.comAdded: Sep 12, 20268.5

Infrastructure

MSE, Demat 2.0 & Tokenised Bonds: The Real Story

The Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) recently facilitated a tokenized corporate bond issuance for IIFL Finance under SEBI's Demat 2.0 pilot, marking a significant step in the integration of blockchain technology into India's debt markets. Launched by SEBI and the RBI at the Global Fintech Fest, the Demat 2.0 initiative utilizes a private, permissioned ledger for bond issuance and atomic settlement via the RBI's wholesale CBDC. While the technology enables real-time settlement and automated coupon payments, SEBI has clarified that tokenization does not create a new asset class or alter the legal character of the bonds. The pilot has seen three issuances totaling ₹1,025 crore, involving 23 institutional investors. Despite MSE holding an Electronic Bond Platform (EBP) license since 2016, it has historically struggled to compete with the dominant market share of the NSE. The recent infusion of ₹1,000 crore in capital from a consortium of brokers and venture firms aims to revitalize MSE by leveraging their control over order flow. This development highlights that in the RWA market, institutional relationships and distribution networks remain more critical to success than the underlying blockchain infrastructure.

#TokenizedBonds #CBDC #India

unlistedzone.comAdded: Sep 12, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Two more Indian tokenized bonds issued, as central bank eyes gold next

India's Demat 2.0 tokenized bond pilot has expanded with two new issuances following the initial REC Limited offering. Engineering firm L&T Limited raised ₹5 billion, while brokerage IIFL secured ₹250 million, bringing the total pilot volume to ₹10.25 billion across three issuances. These assets are natively digital tokens issued on a DLT network managed by central securities depositories NSDL and CDSL, rather than mere digital twins. The pilot currently focuses on issuance and smart contract-based asset servicing for institutional participants. SEBI has provided regulatory clarity on the architecture, while the Reserve Bank of India has indicated interest in tokenizing gold as the next asset class. The project is structured in three stages, with future phases planned to introduce secondary market trading and retail access. This initiative represents a significant shift in Indian capital markets by integrating DLT directly into the authoritative record-keeping process of national depositories.

#TokenizedBonds #DLT #India

ledgerinsights.comAdded: Sep 11, 20267.5

Infrastructure

India's richest state is exploring tokenizing its own assets to fund new infrastructure

The Indian state of Maharashtra is currently drafting a formal policy to tokenize its public assets, marking a significant move toward integrating blockchain technology into state-level infrastructure financing. The initiative specifically targets the state's electricity transmission infrastructure as a primary candidate for tokenization, aiming to unlock new capital streams for development projects. By converting physical assets into digital tokens, the government seeks to enhance liquidity and attract a broader base of investors to fund critical public works. This development represents a notable shift in how regional governments in emerging markets approach asset management and infrastructure funding through decentralized ledger technology. The policy framework is expected to provide the legal and operational guidelines necessary to ensure transparency and security for these digital representations of state property. As one of India's most economically significant states, Maharashtra's exploration of this model could serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions looking to modernize their fiscal strategies. The success of this pilot could potentially accelerate the adoption of RWA tokenization across the Indian public sector, signaling a growing institutional interest in blockchain-based asset management.

#Tokenization #Infrastructure #India

CoinDeskAdded: Sep 11, 20267.5

Infrastructure

India Tokenizes Corporate Bonds with Digital Rupee in Demat 2.0

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched the Demat 2.0 pilot, a significant initiative to tokenize corporate bonds and settle transactions using the Reserve Bank of India's wholesale digital rupee. This program utilizes a distributed ledger within a regulated framework to enable atomic delivery versus payment, effectively reducing settlement risk and manual reconciliation requirements. Three major issuers—REC, Larsen & Toubro, and IIFL Finance—have collectively issued ₹1,025 crore in tokenized bonds during the initial phase. By integrating smart contracts for automated interest payments and redemptions, the pilot aims to modernize India's financial infrastructure while maintaining strict regulatory oversight. Unlike open-market crypto initiatives, this project keeps assets within a permissioned environment involving key institutions like CDSL, NSDL, and major banks. The success of this pilot could pave the way for tokenizing other asset classes, including equities and mutual funds, within the Indian market. This development highlights a global trend where central banks and regulators explore blockchain-based efficiency without sacrificing control or security.

#CorporateBonds #CBDC #India

altcoinbuzz.ioAdded: Sep 11, 20268.5

Non-U.S. Govt. Debt

India enters Asia’s tokenised bond race

India has officially entered the Asian tokenized bond market as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) explores blockchain-based issuance to modernize its sovereign debt infrastructure. This move follows a broader regional trend where central banks and financial institutions are leveraging distributed ledger technology to enhance settlement efficiency and reduce transaction costs. By experimenting with tokenized government securities, India aims to streamline the lifecycle management of bonds, from issuance to secondary market trading. The initiative aligns with the RBI's ongoing efforts to digitize the financial ecosystem and improve liquidity in the domestic debt market. As other Asian economies like Hong Kong and Singapore advance their own tokenization frameworks, India's participation signals a competitive shift toward blockchain-integrated sovereign debt. This development is significant for the RWA market as it demonstrates sovereign-level adoption of tokenization, potentially setting a precedent for emerging markets globally. The integration of blockchain into India's massive government bond market could serve as a blueprint for other nations seeking to modernize traditional financial infrastructure through decentralized technology.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #SovereignDebt

ifre.comAdded: Sep 11, 20268.5

Infrastructure

REC Limited successfully issues India’s first Pilot Issue on Tokenized Corporate Bonds under SEBI regulatory Sandbox Framework

REC Limited has successfully executed India's first pilot issuance of tokenized corporate bonds under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulatory sandbox framework. This initiative, branded as Demat 2.0, utilizes a permissioned distributed ledger to record and track securities ownership, marking a significant shift in the nation's debt market infrastructure. By integrating atomic Delivery-versus-Payment (DvP) settlement and CBDC-enabled transactions, the pilot aims to eliminate traditional settlement risks and operational friction. The project maintains existing investor protections and institutional compliance standards while leveraging digital ledger technology to enhance market efficiency. This milestone represents a strategic move by Indian regulators to modernize capital markets through technology-driven reforms. The successful pilot demonstrates the viability of blockchain-based debt issuance within a controlled regulatory environment. Such advancements are critical for the RWA market as they provide a blueprint for scaling tokenized financial instruments in emerging economies.

#TokenizedBonds #India #SEBI

aninews.inAdded: Sep 11, 20268.5

Infrastructure

'Building tomorrow's market today with tokenised bonds'

The Indian financial landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as tokenized bonds emerge as a pivotal tool for enhancing market efficiency and accessibility. By leveraging blockchain technology, issuers can streamline the issuance process, reduce settlement times, and lower administrative costs associated with traditional debt instruments. This shift allows for fractional ownership, enabling a broader range of retail investors to participate in bond markets that were previously dominated by institutional players. The integration of smart contracts ensures automated compliance and interest payments, significantly reducing the potential for human error and operational friction. As regulatory frameworks in India continue to evolve, the adoption of tokenized assets is expected to foster greater transparency and liquidity within the domestic capital markets. This development represents a broader trend of digitizing traditional financial assets to meet the demands of a modern, tech-savvy investor base. Ultimately, the move toward tokenization signals a strategic pivot for Indian financial institutions aiming to remain competitive in a globalized, digital-first economy.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #CapitalMarkets

timesofindia.indiatimes.comAdded: Sep 10, 20267.5

Commodities

India is Tokenizing Grain on Avalanche: Could This Change Commodities Trading

Arya.ag, India's largest integrated grains commerce platform, is launching a $2 billion initiative to tokenize crop-backed loans on the Avalanche blockchain. By placing grain deposits, warehouse receipts, and loan details on-chain, the platform aims to provide banks with verifiable, transparent data regarding agricultural collateral. This system bundles farmer identity, crop quality, volume, and insurance status into a composite token to facilitate faster, more secure credit disbursal. The initiative addresses systemic issues in Indian agricultural lending, such as fraud and duplicate pledges, by replacing opaque manual processes with auditable smart contracts. This move represents a strategic pivot for the Indian RWA market, shifting focus from global assets like U.S. Treasuries toward domestic, commodity-based financial products. While the project offers a scalable model for emerging markets, it faces significant hurdles due to India's lack of clear legal definitions for tokenized securities and unresolved regulatory issues regarding bankruptcy and stamp duties. The success of this pilot will serve as a critical indicator of whether commodity tokenization can achieve mainstream liquidity within complex, fragmented agricultural sectors.

#RWA #Commodities #Avalanche

coinedition.comAdded: Sep 10, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Sebi Launches Corporate Bonds Tokenisation; NPCI Unveils UPI

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially introduced a framework for the tokenization of corporate bonds to enhance market transparency and accessibility. By leveraging blockchain technology, this initiative aims to streamline the settlement process and reduce the operational complexities traditionally associated with debt securities. The move is part of a broader effort by Indian regulators to modernize the financial infrastructure and encourage retail participation in the corporate bond market. Simultaneously, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has unveiled new UPI-based features to facilitate seamless digital transactions, further integrating traditional banking with modern payment rails. These developments represent a significant shift toward digitizing high-value financial instruments within the Indian economy. The integration of tokenization is expected to lower entry barriers for investors while providing issuers with more efficient capital-raising mechanisms. As India continues to digitize its capital markets, these dual initiatives serve as a foundational step toward a more robust and liquid RWA ecosystem.

#Tokenization #CorporateBonds #Infrastructure

money.rediff.comAdded: Sep 10, 20268.0

#India

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