Why the RBI Wants to Support CBDC Distribution via Non-Bank Payment Firms

Several countries, including India, are expanding central bank digital currency (CBDC) trials, hoping to integrate then with their existing financial systems. The Reserve Bank of India has proposed the expansion of support for the digital rupee CBDC within the retail ecosystem beyond banks. In the coming days, the RBI is expected to start circulating the digital rupee through payment system operators who are not part of the banking system. The detail was disclosed on Friday in a statement by RBI Chief General Manager Yogesh Dayal.

Until now, India’s CBDC distribution was being conducted by banks that are part of its trials. Moving forward, however, RBI is likely to allow platforms like Google Pay and PhonePe also to distribute the digital rupee in the retail ecosystem.

“CBDC pilots in the retail and wholesale segments are underway with more use-cases and more participating banks. Continuing with this approach, it is proposed to make CBDC-retail accessible to a broader segment of users in a sustained manner, by enabling non-bank payment system operators to offer CBDC wallets,” Dayal said in a prepared statement issued by the RBI.

CBDCs are a virtual representation of the fiat currency of a country. Built on blockchain networks, they work like cryptocurrencies but are issued by a central bank. Through CBDCs, people can process quick payments of hefty amounts and all the transaction history will be stored in a permanent, unchangeable format.

“This is expected to enhance access and expand choices available to users apart from testing the resiliency of the CBDC platform to handle multi-channel transactions. Necessary changes will be made to the system to facilitate this,” the official said in the statement.

Since December 2022, the RBI has clocked an impressive feat in conducting research and development around the digital rupee. The CBDC is currently in an advanced trial phase in India.

In February this year, the RBI had spoken about its plans to experiment with offline solutions to drive the adoption of CBDC in those parts of India that are not as well connected to the Internet as developed cities.

In 2023, the State Bank of India introduced UPI interoperability with the digital rupee. Canara Bank also rolled out a similar offering.

“As per the data published in the balance sheet of the Reserve Bank of India as on March 31, 2023, the e-Rupee issued for CBDC (Retail) at Rs 5.70 crore,” the RBI had stated in February while answering an RTI appeal.