#India

73 articles tagged #India — curated RWA tokenization coverage.

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

SEBI Advances Tokenised Bonds and AI Supervision as Pandey Calls for Stronger Tech Governance

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is actively advancing the modernization of capital markets through the integration of AI-driven supervision and the pilot of tokenized corporate bonds. In collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India, SEBI has launched the Demat 2.0 project, which utilizes tokenized securities settled via central bank digital currency (CBDC) and smart contracts. Three issuers have already successfully issued tokenized corporate bonds under this framework, signaling a shift toward faster settlement and automated asset servicing. SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey emphasized that while financial institutions are encouraged to innovate, they retain full regulatory accountability for their technology vendors and AI systems. By adopting the IOSCO AI supervisory toolkit, the regulator aims to enhance predictive market monitoring and identify systemic risks more efficiently. This dual focus on technological adoption and strict governance is intended to bolster market integrity as India’s financial sector scales its digital infrastructure. These developments are critical for the RWA market as they demonstrate a sovereign-level commitment to integrating blockchain-based settlement with traditional corporate debt instruments.

#TokenizedBonds #CBDC #India

niftytrader.inAdded: Sep 10, 20268.5

Infrastructure

SEBI launches tokenised corporate bond pilot under Demat 2.0, three issuers already testing the system

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has initiated a pilot program for tokenized corporate bonds under its 'Demat 2.0' framework. This initiative aims to modernize the settlement and issuance process for debt securities by leveraging blockchain-based tokenization to enhance transparency and efficiency. Three issuers are currently participating in the testing phase to evaluate the system's operational viability within the Indian financial market. By moving toward a tokenized infrastructure, SEBI seeks to reduce settlement cycles and minimize the administrative overhead associated with traditional dematerialized securities. This development represents a significant regulatory push toward integrating distributed ledger technology into mainstream capital markets. The pilot serves as a critical step in digitizing the lifecycle of corporate debt, potentially setting a precedent for broader asset tokenization in India. Successful implementation could lead to increased liquidity and broader investor access to corporate bond markets.

#Tokenization #CorporateBonds #India

moneycontrol.comAdded: Sep 10, 20268.0

Infrastructure

SEBI's Tech-Driven Push for Bond Tokenisation and Financial Inclusion

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is actively pursuing the integration of bond tokenization to modernize the nation's financial infrastructure and improve product distribution. During the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, SEBI Executive Director Manoj Kumar highlighted that converting traditional bonds into digital tokens is a core component of the regulator's broader technological strategy. By digitizing asset ownership, SEBI aims to simplify the issuance and transfer processes, thereby reducing friction in the bond market. This initiative is specifically designed to leverage the high technological engagement of India's younger demographic to drive greater financial inclusion. The regulator is maintaining a participative approach, engaging in ongoing dialogues with industry stakeholders to refine the framework for these digital assets. This move signals a significant regulatory shift toward embracing blockchain-based solutions for sovereign and corporate debt management. Ultimately, SEBI's focus on tokenization reflects a growing global trend among major regulators to utilize distributed ledger technology to enhance market efficiency and accessibility.

#DigitalAssets #FinancialInclusion #India

devdiscourse.comAdded: Sep 9, 20267.5

Infrastructure

RBI’s Vasudevan flags legal, privacy, interoperability risks in tokenization

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Executive Director P. Vasudevan highlighted critical challenges for the nation's tokenization roadmap, including legal uncertainty, data privacy, and the necessity for platform interoperability. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, Vasudevan emphasized that while tokenization offers faster transactions and increased leverage, it introduces potential risks to financial stability that require careful regulatory oversight. The RBI has already successfully tested tokenization through its Unified Markets Interface, processing approximately ₹17,000 crore in certificate-of-deposit transactions. Recent milestones include pilot corporate bond issuances by REC and Larsen & Toubro, each raising ₹500 crore using a blockchain-based 'DEMAT 2.0' system. These pilots utilize the RBI’s wholesale central bank digital currency for settlement, aiming to reduce risks and automate the bond lifecycle. Vasudevan noted that existing market intermediaries like depositories and custodians must evolve into token service providers to support this transition. Ultimately, the RBI remains optimistic about expanding tokenization to diverse asset classes while maintaining a cautious approach to systemic stability.

#TokenizedBonds #CBDC #RBI

livemint.comAdded: Sep 9, 20268.5

Infrastructure

L&T Becomes India’s First Private Sector Corporate to Issue Tokenised Bond

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has officially become the first private sector corporation in India to issue tokenized bonds, raising ₹500 crore with a 3-year tenure. This issuance was conducted under the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) newly established blockchain-based tokenization framework. The transaction utilizes Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to manage the bond lifecycle, aiming to enhance transparency and operational efficiency within the Indian corporate debt market. A critical component of this milestone is the integration of the tokenized securities with Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for settlement, ensuring a seamless digital transaction flow. By adopting this technology, L&T is modernizing its treasury operations and setting a precedent for digital capital-market infrastructure in the region. This development is significant as it signals a shift toward regulatory-backed blockchain adoption in one of the world's largest emerging economies. The move highlights how institutional players are leveraging DLT to reduce friction in traditional finance, potentially paving the way for broader liquidity and participation in Indian corporate debt.

#CorporateBonds #DLT #CBDC

larsentoubro.comAdded: Sep 9, 20268.5

Infrastructure

What tokenised bonds mean for India’s debt market

Tokenized bonds are emerging as a transformative force in India's debt market by leveraging blockchain technology to enhance transparency, liquidity, and settlement efficiency. By digitizing bond issuance, the process reduces reliance on traditional intermediaries, thereby lowering transaction costs and shortening settlement cycles from T+2 to near-instantaneous execution. This shift allows for fractional ownership, enabling retail investors to access high-yield debt instruments that were previously restricted to institutional players. The integration of smart contracts automates interest payments and compliance, significantly reducing the administrative burden for issuers. As the Reserve Bank of India and SEBI explore digital infrastructure, the adoption of tokenization could broaden the investor base and deepen the domestic corporate bond market. This evolution is critical for India's financial ecosystem, as it aligns local debt markets with global trends in decentralized finance and digital asset integration. Ultimately, the transition toward tokenized debt represents a modernization of capital markets that promises to improve market accessibility and operational resilience for all participants.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #Fintech

financialexpress.comAdded: Sep 8, 20267.5

Infrastructure

What Is a Tokenised Bond? How India's first blockchain bond will actually work and why it matters

India has taken a significant step in financial innovation with the introduction of its first tokenized bond, marking a shift toward blockchain-based debt issuance. By leveraging distributed ledger technology, the bond aims to streamline the traditional issuance process, reducing the reliance on intermediaries and lowering administrative costs. This initiative allows for fractional ownership, potentially democratizing access to debt instruments that were previously restricted to institutional investors. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize India's capital markets and enhance transparency through immutable, real-time transaction records. By digitizing the bond lifecycle, issuers can automate interest payments and maturity settlements, significantly reducing the time and complexity involved in manual reconciliation. This development signals a growing appetite among Indian financial institutions to explore blockchain for efficiency gains in the fixed-income sector. As the regulatory framework evolves, this pilot project serves as a critical proof-of-concept for the scalability of tokenized securities within the Indian financial ecosystem.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #CapitalMarkets

cnbctv18.comAdded: Sep 8, 20267.5

Infrastructure

India's first tokenised bond: What changes when debt moves to blockchain

India has officially entered the tokenized debt market with the issuance of its first tokenized corporate bond, marking a significant shift in how domestic debt instruments are managed. By moving traditional electronic bonds onto a programmable blockchain ledger, the initiative aims to streamline settlement processes and enhance operational efficiency. The transition to blockchain-based infrastructure allows for same-day digital settlement, reducing the time and counterparty risk typically associated with traditional clearing cycles. This development serves as a critical test case for the Indian financial ecosystem to determine if distributed ledger technology can provide tangible benefits over existing electronic systems. As the market observes this pilot, the success of the project could pave the way for broader adoption of tokenized securities across the Indian corporate sector. The move aligns with global trends where major financial institutions are increasingly exploring blockchain to modernize legacy debt markets. Ultimately, this milestone highlights India's commitment to integrating advanced financial technology into its capital markets to improve liquidity and transparency.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #Settlement

business-standard.comAdded: Sep 8, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Larsen & Toubro Takes Tokenized Bonds To The Private Sector

Indian engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has successfully issued its first private placement of tokenized bonds, marking a significant shift in corporate debt management. By leveraging blockchain technology, the company aims to streamline the issuance process, reduce administrative overhead, and enhance transparency for investors. This move represents a broader trend of major corporations exploring distributed ledger technology to modernize traditional financial instruments. The tokenization of these bonds allows for fractional ownership and potentially faster settlement times compared to conventional paper-based systems. As one of India's largest infrastructure firms, L&T's adoption signals growing institutional confidence in the efficiency of blockchain-based capital markets. This development is particularly notable for the RWA sector as it demonstrates the practical application of tokenization beyond government-backed securities. The initiative highlights how private sector entities are increasingly viewing blockchain as a viable infrastructure for corporate financing and debt distribution.

#TokenizedBonds #India #BlockchainFinance

finimize.comAdded: Sep 8, 20267.5

Infrastructure

REC Issues ₹500 Cr Through Tokenised Corporate Bonds, 8x Oversubscribed

REC Ltd, a Maharatna company under India's Ministry of Power, has successfully executed India's first pilot issuance of tokenized corporate bonds. The ₹500 crore issuance, conducted under the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) regulatory sandbox, achieved an 8x oversubscription with total bids reaching ₹796 crore. By utilizing a permissioned distributed ledger under the Demat 2.0 initiative, the process enabled atomic Delivery-versus-Payment (DvP) settlement. This technological shift allowed for the pay-in, allotment, and listing of the bonds to occur within a single day. The bonds carry a coupon rate of 7.30% per annum with a tenor of one year and nine months and are listed on both the NSE and BSE. This milestone demonstrates the integration of distributed ledger technology with existing regulatory frameworks to reduce settlement risks and operational friction. The success of this pilot signals a significant evolution in Indian debt markets, highlighting the potential for digital infrastructure to enhance market efficiency and transparency.

#TokenizedBonds #India #SEBI

outlookbusiness.comAdded: Sep 7, 20268.5

Infrastructure

REC issues India's 1st tokenized bond via RBI digital currency

REC Ltd. has successfully executed India's inaugural tokenized bond issuance, raising ₹5 billion, equivalent to approximately $52.9 million. The transaction involved major financial institutions including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, marking a significant milestone for the nation's debt capital markets. Notably, the settlement was conducted entirely using the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), demonstrating the practical integration of sovereign digital money with blockchain-based securities. This development highlights a shift toward increased transparency and operational efficiency in debt trading by leveraging distributed ledger technology. Industry experts, such as Taurus Group's Amar Gandhi, emphasize that the synergy between digital currency and blockchain infrastructure significantly accelerates settlement cycles. The successful pilot is expected to catalyze further adoption, with companies like Larsen & Toubro already preparing similar tokenized bond offerings. This event signals a broader institutional trend toward digitizing traditional financial instruments within the Indian regulatory framework.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #CBDC

newsbytesapp.comAdded: Sep 7, 20267.5

Infrastructure

REC raises Rs 500 crore via tokenised bonds

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Indian Ministry of Power, has successfully raised Rs 500 crore through the issuance of tokenized bonds. This transaction marks a significant milestone in the Indian financial sector, as it leverages blockchain technology to streamline the debt issuance process. The bonds were issued on a private blockchain platform, demonstrating the growing institutional interest in digitizing traditional fixed-income securities to enhance transparency and settlement efficiency. By utilizing tokenization, REC aims to reduce the administrative burden and time associated with conventional bond issuance cycles. This move aligns with broader efforts by Indian state-owned entities to modernize capital market infrastructure through emerging technologies. The successful execution of this issuance serves as a proof-of-concept for other public sector undertakings looking to tap into digital asset markets. Ultimately, this development signals a shift toward more agile, technology-driven debt financing models within the Indian economy.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #India

financialexpress.comAdded: Sep 7, 20267.5

Infrastructure

REC raises $53M in India's first tokenised bond sale

REC Limited, a state-owned infrastructure finance company in India, has successfully raised $53 million through the country's first-ever tokenized bond issuance. The transaction was facilitated on the EarthID blockchain platform, marking a significant milestone for the digitization of India's debt capital markets. By leveraging blockchain technology, REC aims to streamline the issuance process, enhance transparency, and reduce the settlement cycle for institutional investors. This move signals a growing appetite among Indian public sector enterprises to explore distributed ledger technology for capital raising efficiency. The successful pilot demonstrates the viability of tokenized securities within the Indian regulatory framework, potentially paving the way for broader adoption of digital assets in the region. As major financial institutions globally shift toward tokenized debt, this development positions India as an emerging participant in the institutional RWA landscape. The integration of blockchain into traditional bond markets serves as a critical proof-of-concept for future large-scale digital debt offerings in the South Asian market.

#TokenizedBonds #India #REC

app.dealroom.coAdded: Sep 7, 20267.5

Infrastructure

REC Limited: Issues India’s First Tokenized Corporate Bonds

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. The issuance, valued at ₹500 Crore, attracted significant market demand with a total book build of ₹796 Crore, representing an 8x oversubscription. These bonds carry a coupon rate of 7.30% per annum with a tenor of one year and nine months. By utilizing distributed ledger technology and atomic Delivery-versus-Payment (DvP) settlement, the pilot achieved same-day pay-in, allotment, and listing on the NSE and BSE. This initiative, part of the broader Demat 2.0 project, demonstrates the potential for shared-ledger transparency to reduce settlement risks and operational friction in capital markets. The project involved close collaboration between SEBI, the Reserve Bank of India, and various market infrastructure institutions. This milestone marks a transformative shift toward modernized, digital-first debt market infrastructure in India while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.

#TokenizedBonds #India #SEBI

investywise.comAdded: Sep 7, 20268.0

Infrastructure

Why tokenized bonds could reshape India's capital markets

Tokenization of bonds in India is emerging as a transformative force for the nation's capital markets by enhancing liquidity and accessibility for retail investors. By leveraging blockchain technology, issuers can reduce the high costs and administrative burdens traditionally associated with bond issuance and settlement. The transition from manual, paper-based processes to digital ledger systems allows for fractional ownership, enabling smaller investors to participate in debt markets previously reserved for institutions. This shift is expected to streamline the lifecycle management of securities, from issuance to coupon payments and maturity. Regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) are increasingly exploring frameworks to support these digital innovations while maintaining investor protection. As India's bond market continues to expand, tokenization offers a scalable solution to improve transparency and operational efficiency across the financial ecosystem. Ultimately, the adoption of tokenized bonds could democratize investment opportunities and foster a more robust, technology-driven financial infrastructure in the region.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #CapitalMarkets

zeebiz.comAdded: Sep 7, 20267.5

Infrastructure

L&T plans to raise up to ₹500 crore via tokenized bonds after REC's success, marking new era for debt markets

Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd (REC) has successfully raised ₹500 crore through India's first-ever tokenized corporate bond issuance, signaling a significant shift in the nation's debt market infrastructure. The bonds, which mature on May 31, 2028, were issued with a 7.30% coupon rate, utilizing a blockchain-based platform developed under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India and the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Following this milestone, Larsen & Toubro Ltd is preparing to launch its own tokenized bond issue this week, aiming to raise up to ₹500 crore at an expected 7.40% coupon. This initiative leverages the RBI’s wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) for payments and a "DEMAT 2.0" blockchain wallet for secure asset holding. By moving away from traditional settlement systems, these tokenized instruments aim to enable near-instant settlement and enhanced transparency for market participants. The adoption of this technology is expected to reduce settlement risks and potentially allow for fractional ownership, which could broaden investor participation in corporate debt. While the pilot project marks a major technological advancement, market participants emphasize that scaling the ecosystem will require further development of secondary market liquidity and supporting infrastructure.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #CBDC

livemint.comAdded: Sep 7, 20268.5

U.S. Treasuries

Tokenisation of corporate bonds: A new chapter for India’s debt market

India is set to launch its inaugural tokenized corporate bond issuance in September 2026, featuring state-owned power financier REC Ltd. as the primary issuer. The pilot project will utilize Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) alongside the Reserve Bank of India’s wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to facilitate transaction settlement. SEBI Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey highlighted that this initiative aims to test DLT for faster settlement, improved traceability, and automated servicing within the corporate bond market. By integrating securities and payment legs onto an interoperable digital infrastructure, the project seeks to reduce settlement risk and operational reconciliation burdens. While India already maintains a mature dematerialized securities system, this shift represents a transition toward a more programmable and integrated financial architecture. The pilot will also serve as a critical test case for addressing complex legal questions regarding the finality of DLT-based ownership records. Ultimately, this move signifies a strategic evolution in India's financial market infrastructure, potentially enhancing liquidity and retail accessibility for debt instruments.

#CorporateBonds #DLT #CBDC

barandbench.comAdded: Sep 5, 20268.0

U.S. Treasuries

State Power Lender REC Set to Sell India’s First Tokenized Bond

India’s state-owned power financier, REC Ltd., is preparing to launch the nation’s first tokenized bond issuance, marking a significant milestone for the country's digital finance landscape. The company plans to raise approximately 1 billion rupees through this blockchain-based offering, signaling a shift toward modernizing debt capital markets. By utilizing distributed ledger technology, REC aims to enhance transparency, reduce settlement times, and lower administrative costs associated with traditional bond issuance. This move aligns with broader efforts by Indian financial authorities to explore the integration of blockchain in regulated markets. The pilot project serves as a test case for the potential scalability of tokenized debt instruments within the Indian regulatory framework. As a major state-backed entity, REC's involvement provides institutional credibility to the tokenization of government-linked assets. This development is expected to encourage further adoption of RWA tokenization among other Indian public sector enterprises and financial institutions.

#Blockchain #TokenizedBonds #India

bloomberg.comAdded: Sep 5, 20268.0

#India

Insights directly to your inbox